Lorenzo eyes 2009 MotoGP title

Eurosport - Mon, 03 Nov 16:50:00 2008

Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo said he can beat team-mate Valentino Rossi to the 2009 MotoGP title if he avoids another catalogue of crashes.

2008 Valencian GP Yamaha Lorenzo - 0

The Spaniard, a double 250cc champion, finished fourth this season in his first year in MotoGP with Rossi romping to his eighth World Championship across all disciplines.

Italian Rossi had previously gone two seasons without a title, when American Nicky Hayden and Australia's Casey Stoner took the honours, and Lorenzo feels he could be next in line.

"Why not?" he told Reuters. "Valentino is an amazing rider off and on the track, but it is not impossible to beat him. Hayden and Stoner did it. I can only promise to work hard and have ambition."

Lorenzo made an impressive start on the Yamaha, qualifying on pole for the opening night race in Qatar and finishing second before winning in Portugal.

However, his season was then blighted by injuries and accidents. He fell and fractured his ankle in practice for the Chinese Grand Prix before crashing in France, Italy, Catalunya, Germany and the United States, where he broke bones in his foot.

The 21-year-old did not want to speculate where he would have finished if he had stayed on the bike more often.

"I don't know, definitely with more points than I finished with, that's for sure," he said. "What position I couldn't say. I think that the fall in China hugely changed the championship... my championship."

Lorenzo is confident he will have fewer crashes next season.

"I fell many times this season and that suggests I fall all the time, but that is not true," he said. "I remember that when I started in 125cc I fell a lot in the first year but after that I fell hardly ever.

"I may make mistakes but I think next year I won't fall so much."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. Valentino Rossi, `He is so awesome that guy! I mean, he is the king. There is no-one better. He has done everything, he has won the championship, he is the comeback kid, he is entertaining, he is brilliant with the fans. He is everything you want from a rider.´I'm a fan of both Rossi and Lorenzo,but Rossi's my first choice for the title.But if Rossi can't win the title someday....I think Marco Simocelli will take the motogp worldchampion after Rossi retire ,he'll be my first choice for the title because he got more talanted and fighting spirit like Rossi.

    From raflesia, on Fri 7 Nov 1:57PM

  2. I think he will finish 3rd. Best thing about 2009 will be the fact that if Dani doesn't win the title, it will have taken him longer in MotoGP to win the title than Hayden! And when Hayden came over, he didn't know ANY of the tracks, unlike Danielle the pint sized cry baby

    From the_wizzzzzzzz, on Thu 6 Nov 10:55PM

  3. Dovi will beat rossi next year.

    From n/a n, on Thu 6 Nov 8:46PM

  4. I'm a fan of both Rossi and Lorenzo,but Rossi's my first choice for the title.But if Rossi can't win the title someday,I'd be happy to see Lorenzo wins it.All the best to Jorge Lorenzo and after Rossi retire from MotoGP,he'll be my first choice for the title.

    From Guyver_3, on Thu 6 Nov 3:34PM

  5. Never commented before, but I have to congratulate Wilf on his achievment.

    From Spen, on Thu 6 Nov 9:58AM

  6. I've just eaten 57 weetabix

    From Wilf Clenched Parson, on Wed 5 Nov 6:48PM

  7. he might be able to beat vale if uses a minimoto haha

    From vale46, on Tue 4 Nov 10:07PM

  8. maybe yes maybe no or it could be the ducati riders of hayden and stoner, anyway motogp is better than f1

    From sarah, on Tue 4 Nov 6:49PM

  9. I think Jorge is aiming a bit too high, If he think he can beat Vale he will be sorly
    disappointed come end of next season...

    From fredrikarcari@..., on Tue 4 Nov 1:29PM

  10. Oh and the comment regarding Dani P, could'nt agree more what a mardy little git!

    From Kevin, on Mon 3 Nov 10:39PM

  11. In my humble veiw , its Vale's again .He is the only rider prepared to mix it and get his shoulders out,when its happen's to the other top three..they throw the toys out and says hes riding dirty.

    From Kevin, on Mon 3 Nov 10:23PM

  12. Honda will win nothing again next season. The odd round maybe but Dani has had his chance now. There's too much quality in the field for him I'm afraid. Alberto Puig has made him look like a spoilt brat so expect Honda not to renew his contract when the time comes. The only thing that might save him will be Spanish Repsol cash.

    From Holty, on Mon 3 Nov 7:41PM

  13. your both kidding yourselves, 2009 belongs to repsol HONDA and not to you two muppets- REPSOL ROSS

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Mon 3 Nov 6:45PM

  14. Jorge is a good rider, despite I'm a huge fan of Vale, I would wish Lorenzo all the best, he's the only person I would happy to see as a new champion if Rossi fails

    From Vladimir, on Mon 3 Nov 6:07PM
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