Jorge Lorenzo had taken 145 podiums in the World Championship by the time the lights went out in Jerez, and the Spanish GP was the day to take number 146 and ride into parc ferme for the first time in red.

The Ducati Team rider picked off those in front of him one by one, finally pulling away from Johann Zarco in the latter laps to secure P3 – fourth time lucky on the Ducati after a stunning ride, staying level with Dani Pedrosa with the third most podiums of all time.

Jerez has been Lorenzo’s Land before, with a number of wins for the five-time World Champion at one of his home tracks, and the signs were looking good from Friday.

After progress in Texas and a huge step forward in Jerez, Lorenzo said getting the Ducati on the podium at the venue felt more like a win – and not to doubt his mentality.