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By Sienna Wedes<br />
that makes it work. They must all<br />
mesh into one. Lorenzo’s team<br />
consists of many new employees<br />
who speak several different<br />
languages, and through observation<br />
haven’t blended as well as<br />
Marquez’s team (a loss before<br />
he even started). Their workflow<br />
which naturally builds with time<br />
has been disrupted frequently<br />
and has affected the teams ability<br />
to work as a cohesive unit.<br />
<strong>No</strong>t only that, Lorenzo has not<br />
kept coy about his struggles with<br />
the RCV. “My feeling on the bike<br />
was not good”, “I cannot ride<br />
confidently”, “in this season I do<br />
not think we will reach the top 5”<br />
and “in this world, there is no<br />
magic” has spread like wildfire.<br />
When negativity cements itself<br />
within the team an unfavourable<br />
working environment cultivates.<br />
Even when he was racing in<br />
twelfth place at the beginning of<br />
the Aragon GP, something still<br />
lacked and he disappeared. He<br />
hinted at a defective rear Michelin<br />
in MotorLand and, on his side,<br />
the Honda has been notoriously<br />
hard to turn in 2019 – Cal Crutchlow<br />
also not shy in voicing his<br />
concerns and difficulties with the<br />
equipment.<br />
The physical and mental side of<br />
Lorenzo’s job go hand in hand,<br />
one does not favour the other.<br />
In Saturday’s qualifying press<br />
conference Marquez indirectly<br />
provided words of wisdom when<br />
attacking the Honda.“If you are<br />
not fit, it is impossible to be fast<br />
on this bike. You need to be fit.<br />
It is difficult, you need to set up<br />
well and believe in your project. It<br />
is not the easiest bike of the grid<br />
but if you find that point you can<br />
be competitive”.<br />
Lorenzo has suffered not only<br />
physical injuries but also mental<br />
scratches that are much slower to<br />
heal. Broken bones, internal damage<br />
and Chinese whispers have<br />
raised doubts about his commitment<br />
to Honda and his future<br />
in the sport. We have witnessed<br />
ex-racers like Kevin Schwantz and<br />
Mick Doohan suffer painful traumas<br />
and end their careers rather<br />
than risk further damage. Could<br />
this be a similar narrative unfolding?<br />
Could the second most<br />
successful rider of the decade<br />
be holding himself back from<br />
making any kind of damage but<br />
also substantial breakthrough?<br />
Maybe it’s becoming clearer that<br />
the main block here is Lorenzo<br />
himself and we are all just trying<br />
to guess what the next step is. I<br />
know I am.
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