"I feel quite different going to race in Spain now compared to last year when I was in 250. Now I am at the top and I feel very much in the spotlight" - Jorge Lorenzo.
A sensational MotoGP debut at Qatar, in which he took pole position and finished second to world champion Casey Stoner in the race, means expectation is sky high for Jorge Lorenzo's first home race as a premier-class rider this weekend at Jerez.
"Qatar was unbelievable and something I will remember forever. I've felt great since and now I'm really excited about the next one; I never expected to be going into only my second MotoGP race in such a great position in the classification! However I know it will be hard work for me again in Jerez and it's still just my second race on the M1. I will have to work and focus very hard in practice if I want to be able to repeat the Qatar experience.
"In November at the test I had some difficulties but in February I did one of my best laps of the whole winter, despite the bad weather, and I hope I can be even faster this time."
The Spanish circuit holds no secrets for the 20-year-old Fiat Yamaha rider, who made history on home soil as the youngest rider ever to qualify for a grand prix on his 15th birthday - in the 125cc class back in 2002 - while 250cc victories for the past two seasons have contributed to his rise as a national hero.
"Jerez for me last year was a fantastic race, I took pole position and the victory and I also won in 2006 so I have some great memories of racing here," confirmed Jorge, whose past rivalry with countryman Dani Pedrosa is sure to be a talking point this weekend. "Jerez is undoubtedly a special track for me; it's my home, I know it very well and it's the track where I rode in my very first GP in 2002.
"It's also the first place I ever planted my 'Lorenzo's Land' flag! It will always be in my heart. It's quite a technical track and I like this about it. In Jerez a rider can win the race in the corners and it's not always the most important thing to have the fastest bike.
crash.net
A sensational MotoGP debut at Qatar, in which he took pole position and finished second to world champion Casey Stoner in the race, means expectation is sky high for Jorge Lorenzo's first home race as a premier-class rider this weekend at Jerez.
"Qatar was unbelievable and something I will remember forever. I've felt great since and now I'm really excited about the next one; I never expected to be going into only my second MotoGP race in such a great position in the classification! However I know it will be hard work for me again in Jerez and it's still just my second race on the M1. I will have to work and focus very hard in practice if I want to be able to repeat the Qatar experience.
"In November at the test I had some difficulties but in February I did one of my best laps of the whole winter, despite the bad weather, and I hope I can be even faster this time."
The Spanish circuit holds no secrets for the 20-year-old Fiat Yamaha rider, who made history on home soil as the youngest rider ever to qualify for a grand prix on his 15th birthday - in the 125cc class back in 2002 - while 250cc victories for the past two seasons have contributed to his rise as a national hero.
"Jerez for me last year was a fantastic race, I took pole position and the victory and I also won in 2006 so I have some great memories of racing here," confirmed Jorge, whose past rivalry with countryman Dani Pedrosa is sure to be a talking point this weekend. "Jerez is undoubtedly a special track for me; it's my home, I know it very well and it's the track where I rode in my very first GP in 2002.
"It's also the first place I ever planted my 'Lorenzo's Land' flag! It will always be in my heart. It's quite a technical track and I like this about it. In Jerez a rider can win the race in the corners and it's not always the most important thing to have the fastest bike.
crash.net