Ducati Jorge Lorenzo shot off the line in the Austrian Grand Prix, a second clear of the field after Lap 1 following a stunning pass on teammate Andrea Dovizioso that became a quick attack on reigning Champion Marc Marquez.

Then staying ahead for more than a third of the race, the 'Spartan' had to do a little fuel saving and eventually crossed the line in fourth - but only six seconds off his teammate, the winner.

With a front row start, a smaller gap to the front, and some big progress of late, Lorenzo says they must be satisfied - now only lacking a couple of tenths to really carve it up at the sharp end.

"I think that this was my best race of the year: I started from the front row, I led the race for 11 laps, and I finished the GP just over six seconds down on the winner." Said the Majorcan

"This time we were a bit lacking in power, because from the third lap onwards I had to change the mapping to keep the fuel consumption under control, and above all I was losing a lot on the straights to my rivals."

"The rear tyre also deteriorated on the right side and I was unable to keep touch with the leading group." He added "Things are going better at every race, I’m riding more convincingly and I’m able to get more out of my bike."

"We’re missing very little, just a couple of tenths, to be able to fight for the win and so we must be satisfied. Congratulations to Andrea, because he deserved to win what was a very difficult race."