Jorge Lorenzo’s perspective on 2010

The MotoGP World Champion talks about his first premier class title in a feature interview, discussing the moments of his campaign which stood out for him and also looking ahead to defending his crown in the 2011…

MotoGP World Champion at the relatively tender age of 23, Jorge Lorenzo has already accomplished one of his lifelong ambitions. The Spanish rider broke a number of records on his way to the 2010 title, amassing nine victories and a total of 16 podiums, and in the attached video feature interview he talks about his achievement in the depth.

The first of Lorenzo’s wins came in Round 2 at the Jerez, his first premier class victory on home soil and one which holds special significance for him. “We were highly motivated when we got to Jerez but the race didn’t start in the best manner, as I dropped to fourth or fifth. But then suddenly my mind just changed and I started to go much quicker, recovering seconds on the leaders. My adrenaline was so high and I wanted the win whatever happened. I took risks and fortunately it happened,” said Lorenzo.

2010 season finale in Valencia

The 18th and final round of the 2010 MotoGP World Championship this weekend will see the runner-up spot decided, with the following Official Test offering an immediate taste of what is to come in 2011.

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit hosts the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana this weekend for the 12th year running, and what has since 2002 been the traditional season-ending round. The 18th instalment of the 2010 MotoGP campaign will see runner-up to already-crowned Champion Jorge Lorenzo decided, with Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi the candidates still able to take the honour.

Despite having wrapped up the title with three rounds to spare Lorenzo is still hungry for victories, as proven with his eighth of the season last time out at Estoril. The Fiat Yamaha rider is also on course to set a new record for the highest number of points scored in a single season in the MotoGP class as well as equal a number of other milestones, with the added incentive that Valencia is just one of three circuits on the current calendar at which he has not won in any class. He did finish on the podium last year however and will now aim to go one better.

The man with the most success at the venue is Pedrosa, last year’s race winner and with five victories in total across the premier (twice), 250cc (twice) and 125cc classes. The Repsol Honda rider currently has the best chance of finishing second in the Championship, holding a 19-point advantage over third-placed Rossi, but he is still recovering from his collarbone injury having only made his return to racing in Portugal having sat out three races.

Rossi has winning form at Valencia from 2003 and 2004, but is yet to taste victory on an 800cc machine there. The Italian, along with Lorenzo, will be aiming to deliver Yamaha their first win in the format, and came close last year in finishing second.

Lorenzo receives a memorable welcome in Mallorca

Some 5,000 people cheered the rider in the tributes organized in the Palma, after he returned from securing the MotoGP World Champion crown.

This Wednesday Jorge Lorenzo was welcomed by an enthusiastic reception, on his return home from the triple Asiatic where he secured his first MotoGP crown. Yesterday was a day to party and the celebrations for the new world champion in the premier class saw him surrounded by a huge crowd in his hometown of the Palma de Mallorca.

The first surprise was at the airport of the Palma where the President of the Air Europa, one of Lorenzo’s main sponsors, showed him one of the hangars where the Spaniard discovered that one of the company’s Boeings had been renamed “Lorenzo's Land” in his honor. Lorenzo then christened the hanger with a bottle of champagne.

The rider was then driven from Son Sant Joan to Palma in an open carriage, escorted by hundreds of motorists. The delegation toured the main streets of the city and the rider, accompanied by his parents, was able to see and feel the affection of his countrymen. Upon arrival at Consolat Sea (home of the Balearic Government), Lorenzo was received by President Francesc Antich and other local authorities who gave him a commemorative plaque, and then the pilot appeared on the balcony of the Government headquarters, where the crowd cheered his name.

"This is yours. We are already champions. I am proud to be a representative of Mallorca" exclaimed the emotional 23 year old motorcyclist, who ended by joined in with chants of 'We Are The Champions' sung enthusiastically by the thousands gathered.

Before continuing the party, the Fiat Yamaha rider held a small press conference in which he commented on his 2010 championship victory - "I have achieved my dream and this title should be celebrated to the max" –remembering the people that had helped him to achieve it, starting with his father, Chicho, and his mother, Maria, and expressing his hopes to return to his island and the home of the government on future occasions to celebrate more successes in the World Championship.

Title focus for Lorenzo, Rossi wants to continue form

The Fiat Yamaha duo are approaching Round 15, the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with different aims. Lorenzo is on the verge of clinching his first premier class title, whilst Rossi wants to build on the form he displayed in Japan.

Jorge Lorenzo:

"All I am thinking about is Sunday and if I can win the title... It's been one of the dreams of my life and it would be great to get it here in Sepang. I like Malaysia a lot and I've done so many kilometres there testing on my M1, plus I have great memories from winning the 250cc championship there in the 2007. The track is long and modern but the weather can be a problem because it can be too hot and also rain can cause problems. Last year was a bit crazy with the rain and then I had to start from last on the grid! I would definitely prefer it to be dry this year. The team and I will focus in the same way we have all season, working hard from Friday and with the goal of a podium or victory. We hope for the best result we can get."

Valentino Rossi:

"Japan was very exciting for us and it felt good to be fighting at the front through all the sessions and the race; it's been a long time since we were that strong. I don't know until I start riding how Sepang will feel on my shoulder but it is one of my two or three favourite tracks in the world and I am always excited to go there. We were strong there in winter testing, obviously a lot has changed since then but we made some good improvements to our bike in Japan so I hope we can be in the same kind of form this weekend."