Hayden fourth, difficult sixth for Rossi

Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi ended the Air Asia British Grand Prix race fourth and sixth, correspondingly, with the Italian restrictive damage in a challenging weekend, while the American posted the fastest lap of the race and ended just off the podium.

With the help of his team, Nicky Hayden found a good setup for the wet race, the only restriction causing him to lose contact with the battle for the podium were the particularly unfaithful conditions of the early laps, when he came close to crashing his GP11 on a couple of occasions.

Despite starting from the last row and not being completely contented with his bike’s setup, Valentino Rossi made up several positions and rode a proscribed race, collecting ten valuable points to retain fourth place in the series standings.

Nicky Hayden:

“To be honest, I really liked my chances for a podium in the rain today; if you’d have told me before the race that I could have fourth, I’d have said, ‘No thanks, I can do better,’ but I’m not dissatisfied with my ride. I didn’t get a great start because the clutch was jumpy, and for the first few laps, it was hard to see and to get heat in the tyres. I had a big instant on the exit of Turn 1 and actually jarred my shoulder pretty good, but I tried to hang in there. I saw Colin in front of me for the podium, and I really pushed. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever had the fastest lap on a Ducati, which is kind of cool even if you don’t get points for it. Full respect to Colin a week after breaking his collarbone, but I still don’t like him beating me for the podium! Thanks to the team. It hasn’t been an easy weekend for us, but we reserved trying and got a pretty good chunk of points. We’ll take it and move on.”

Valentino Rossi:

“Without a doubt, this weekend was the most hard so far this season, but we at least managed to do a good job of limiting the damage. Considering how we came into the race, sixth place is a fairly positive result that helps us to stay not too far from the top of the standings in fourth, which isn’t bad. We knew that my lack of experience here compared to the others would hurt us, but it’s also true that we haven’t managed to get better our setup as well as we should have. In fact, today Nicky managed to have a nice race and ride well, even setting the fastest lap, which demonstrates that the Ducati is spirited in the wet. We didn’t get better enough though, and that made it hard for me, as the bike was difficult to ride and I couldn’t push hard. We’re all in charge - me, the bike, and the team - so together we’ll try to improve and return to the level we were at in Le Mans and Catalunya as soon as probable, and then take another step forward.”

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Stoner races to glory in Spain

Casey Stoner sustained to hunt down defending champion Jorge Lorenzo, claiming his third win from five starts in the MotoGP series in Barcelona on Sunday.

The Australian passed the Spaniard on the opening lap of the Catalunya GP to take the lead from Lorenzo, tapering the gap at the top of the championship standings to just seven points.

The victory adds to Stoner's wins in Qatar and France previously this year.

And it seems the power of Stoner's Honda is starting to anxiety Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who admitted post-race he didn't feel he could have beaten the Australian.

"The key was the start - I made a superior start," Lorenzo said.

"But I knew Casey could pass me in a few laps. He made it, and when he made it I tried to hang about with him for the maximum laps possible.

"This race was very vital for me to finish and keep leading the championship.

"So I think we have done our goal."

Stoner was more disturbed by forecast wet weather than his rivals, relieved that light rain on the track didn't turn into an all-out downpour before the race finish.

"I was starting to get very tense," the 25-year-old said.

"There was more rain falling in some parts, and each lap you came by there was a little bit more or a little bit less and you didn't actually know which corner it was going to be raining heavily on.

"I didn't really know what pace to run, I didn't know how bad the conditions were.

"So I pretty much coordinated myself to the people behind, and it seemed to work. But it was a high pressure race and to stay at the front was a little bit nerve-wracking.

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Rossi and Hayden inspired for Catalunya

The Ducati Team riders are keenly anticipating this weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya, at a circuit they both enjoy.

Both Ducati Team riders like the Catalan Grand Prix, citing both the track’s layout and the large crowds that forever heat up the Spanish races. Valentino Rossi, who did not take part in the 2010 round due to injury, has scored wins at the track in every class, collecting an inspiring nine victories and a further four podiums. Nicky Hayden also made the podium in 2006, on his way to the MotoGP title.

Valentino Rossi:

“The Catalan Grand Prix is one of the nicest of the season, for a number of reasons: Barcelona is a beautiful city, the track is really nice – almost certainly my second-favourite after Mugello – and finally, as is always the case at Spanish races, the grandstands are packed with enthusiastic fans. I’m really happy to return to the track, since I had to watch the race from my house last year. I’ve always been quite strong at the track, so I have many nice memories, the most recent of which is the 2009 win after a great clash with Lorenzo. We’re very aggravated and we’re working really hard on the bike; step-by-step, we can see that we’re making progress. We know there’s still a lot of work to be done, but we need to keep annoying to get closer to the front.”

Nicky Hayden:

“Any race in Spain is huge, and Catalunya is no exemption. It’s a good track. I made the podium there in 2006, although I haven’t gotten the results I’d like there in recent years, particularly last season. I’m looking forward to it. The two weeks off have been okay, but I like this part of the season, with back-to-back races. The next month and a half is leaving to be busy, because this is when the season really gets going. Even though our end result wasn’t a lot better in Le Mans, I absolutely think we were closer to the front. Ducati hasn’t stopped functioning over the last couple of weeks, and we’ll see at Barcelona if we can keep going on the right path.”

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MOTOGP: Rossi Scores First Ducati Podium

Valentino Rossi was satisfied as he not only put the Ducati on the box for the first time, but also beat former teammate/rival Jorge Lorenzo for the position.

The French Grand Prix saw Valentino Rossi score his first podium finish aboard a Ducati, following a race that was noticeable by excitement and surprises. Nicky Hayden started from the fourth row, but higher to seventh place by the finish.

The Italian renowned his third-place finish after a weekend of hard work and constant improvement, during which he and his crew increasingly improved the bike’s setup until finding a good compromise for the race. Sixth at the end of the first lap, Rossi stayed just a few tenths from Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, who fought over fourth place until an event between Pedrosa and Simoncelli with ten laps remaining. At that point, the trio began battling over second place, and in the end, Valentino finished third, behind Dovizioso and winner Casey Stoner.

Nicky Hayden fought over sixth place with Ben Spies, and although he had to grant the position to his compatriot in the end, he was pleased with the development made over the course of the weekend.

In two days, on May 17, Valentino Rossi will be in action at Silverstone Circuit aboard a Ducati 1198, as the English track inaugurates a new paddock wing.

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro Team) 3rd

“We’re very satisfied with this podium because we’re on the right path, and especially because I had fun today. I rode the Desmosedici well, I was fast in the technical parts of the track, I felt good from start to finish and I had good lap times. This morning we made a last change to the surroundings together with Jeremy and the guys from Ducati, and it helped cut another couple of tenths. I knew I could beat Lorenzo, so that was my goal. I also passed Dovi at one point, but I got a little puzzled and made a move on the penultimate lap instead of the last one. I lost my concentration momentarily, but in short, he got me again. Anyway, it’s fine like this; I’m happy for myself, for my team, for Filippo (Preziosi), and for all the boys at Ducati. This result boosts our morale. We still have to keep working and civilizing though, because there’s more to be done. I also have to get better and keep adapting my style to the Ducati, because I’m still not riding it as I should, but in the meanwhile, we’ll enjoy today’s nice race and podium.”

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team) 7th

“We didn’t do ourselves any favors by starting 10th, but actually, we made a little step forward with the bike today. I got a polite start but was just really tight and lost some time. As the race got going, I was able to move up a bit and slowly bring back Spies and Colin. Colin edwards crashed, but once I got in front of Ben, I wasn’t really able to get down in the 34s and get away like I needed to. Seventh isn’t a great result for us, but I would say that overall, it’s almost certainly been our best weekend yet. When the track was cold, I was able to go quite fast—always in the top five in those conditions. I hoped for better in the race, but I’m looking onward to the next stretch; we’re about to really get into the season.”

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)

“We’re pleased with this weekend because we’ve already benefited from the first changes that we’ve made according to Vale’s requests. We had a nice race, maintained a good pace and took part in a nice battle. The team worked very well on the setup, which we changed every sitting and took a step forward each time—including one in the morning warm-up. We still have work to do, because this is only the start; there’s still a gap to make up, but anyway, we’re going in a promising direction. Nicky also confirmed that his feeling with the motorcycle has enhanced, and he made good progress on the bike over the course of the weekend.”

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MotoGP action back on at Estoril

After an comprehensive break in the MotoGP calendar the premier class returns to action at the bwin Grande Prémio de Portugal this weekend, and there is bounty to watch out for at Estoril in Round 3.

Almost four weeks after the Jerez round – the extensive break being due to the postponement of the Japanese GP until October – the MotoGP World Championship returns to action at Estoril this weekend, where the bwin Grande Prémio de Portugal hosts Round 3 of the 2011 season. This will be the 14th time that there has been a Portuguese GP.

There was no lack of talking points following Round 2 in southern Spain, where defensive World Champion Jorge Lorenzo took his first win of 2011 in the wet, and was followed onto the podium by a Dani Pedrosa struggling with his recovering left arm and Nicky Hayden. Casey Stoner’s incapability to finish the race after being taken down in an incident involving Valentino Rossi, the latter of whom managed to remount his bike and finish fifth, merely added to what was a extremely eventful race at Jerez.

Yamaha Factory Racing rider Lorenzo has a frightening recent record at the Estoril track, having won for the past three consecutive seasons from pole position. The Spaniard has now finished within the top four for 22 straight races, and leads the early Championship standings by nine points in front of rival Dani Pedrosa. The Repsol Honda man arrives in Portugal hopeful that surgery right away after Jerez will have eased the discomfort caused in his left arm, and in spite of that he secured a 90th GP podium in the last round making him only the tenth rider to arrive at the milestone in the World Championship’s 63-year history. .

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Lorenzo and Spies set for Qatar

The Factory Yamaha Racing duo are keen to get out on track for the opening round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship, the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

This weekend marks the end of a long winter of coming up as the hugely anticipated 2011 MotoGP season bursts into life on the floodlit Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo steps up to the grid to confront for a second title at the controls of his YZR-M1 with nothing less than victory in his sights. Joining him in the garage and carrying out Yamaha Factory Racing's line up for this season will be 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Ben Spies.

The 2010 season saw Lorenzo resolutely cement his place as one of the Grand Prix elite. The 23 year-old Mallorcan stormed through the 18-round season to take an impressive nine race wins and a premier class record breaking 383 point tally on his way to title victory. The Yamaha Factory rider has started every MotoGP race in his premier class career at Qatar from the front row, taking a pole position in his 2008 MotoGP debut and has always ended on the podium, although a race win has so far eluded him.

Spies, the Texan Factory newcomer, is no stranger to Yamaha having taken the Yamaha Factory Superbike to conquest in the 2009 World Superbike Championship. He went on to amaze in his debut season in MotoGP in 2010 on the Tech3 Yamaha M1, securing sixth in the Championship standings as the highest placed non-factory rider, scoring two podiums and a stunning pole position start for his home race at Indianapolis in the process. The 2010 season opener at the Losail circuit saw the 25 year-old push on from a fourth-row grid start location to finish the race in fifth, just 3.9 seconds from the race winner.

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Lorenzo and Márquez collect National Sport Awards

The MotoGP World Champion chosen up the 2010 Don Felipe de Borbón prize for the best sportsperson of the year. 125cc World Champion Marc Márquez was also honoured for his sequence as the best sportsperson under 18 years of age.

In a ritual presided over by the Spanish Royal Family in the El Pardo palace on Monday, Jorge Lorenzo received the Don Felipe de Borbón prize in credit as being the best sportsperson of 2010.

The MotoGP World Champion was one of the protagonists of the ritual for the Spanish National Sports Awards 2010, held by the Sports committee and presided over by His Majesty the King of Spain, the Prince and Princess of Asturias and Princess Elena, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Sport, Jaime Lissavetsky.

In his speech address to the winners, Don Juan Carlos said: “Spanish sport is now on a clear worldwide projection beyond our borders. I want to emphasize the successes of our sportspeople as they help our country to represent itself on a global scale.”

“Their approach and constant work rate are of great pride and should serve as an example to all of us. 2010 has been one of the top years in the history of Spanish sport, and the spirit of endurance and companionship shown by our athletes is also worthy of special talk about. Their successes serve as examples and we should carry on working like this,” added the King.

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Dani Pedrosa Sepang Test Wallpaper

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa is in the best probable condition ahead of the second MotoGP pre-season practice of 2011, which will be held at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia from Feb. 26-27.

Pedrosa, the runner-up in the 2010 MotoGP World Championship, continues his revival from the motorcycle crash and injury he suffered in the Japanese Grand Prix; the Spaniard continued a double crack to the left collarbone.

Although the motorcycle rider was flown home and operated on in the USP Dexeus clinic in Barcelona, the heavy bruise and bulge had caused a numbness and lack of strength in Dani Pedrosa's left arm while riding his Honda.

To no avail, the Honda RC212V rider in progress the first practice of the year in Malaysia strong. Dani Pedrosa twisted the fasted lap on the second full day of testing with a time of 2 minutes, 0 seconds and 770 thousandths on his old race bike, that was 1 second and a half faster than the pole set by Jorge Lorenzo last October.

The MotoGP time set by Dani Pedrosa on his fourth lap was the fastest ever at this circuit on a motorcycle but was later beaten by another Honda rider, the sophomore Italian racer Marco Simoncelli.

Dani Pedrosa (Honda RC212V MotoGP Bike) say: "I don't think we have ever been so fast on this circuit, but you just find physically a bit fresher in the morning and I put in four very good laps. I was not after a fast time but I saw that the track surface was good and I went for it."

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Dani Pedrosa: Rossi is Rossi…

Dani Pedrosa says Valentino Rossi can never be inexpensive as a title contender, despite the somewhat unpromising start to the seven-time MotoGP world champion's career as a Ducati rider.

Rossi finished the first pre-season test of 2011 in a modest 11th position overall, while Pedrosa – jointly with Honda stablmates Casey Stoner and Marco Simoncelli – have been in the middle of the main pace setters.

Despite this, Pedrosa is refusing to get rid of Rossi from the equation of title challenger, maintaining the Italian has the aptitude to turn things around in time for the start of the new season.

“The great unknown amount will perhaps be Rossi,” he said in his latest blog. “It's his first year with Ducati and in Malaysia he wasn't amongst the fastest riders. But Rossi is Rossi, and you can not at all rely on anything. Even when he's in last place on the Saturday he still has the ability to surprise.”

Additionally, Pedrosa is wary of reigning champions Yamaha, pointing out that and Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies carry on to display the most convincing race pace.

“Right now the Honda RC212V seems to be performance well. We'll see what happens when we get to the first GP of the year, because the whole thing could change there. You never know, but at the instant everything points towards a tough World Championship.

“The Yamaha continues to have a good rhythm lap upon lap. Lorenzo, as the defending Champion, is a rival to beat, and Spies had a huge season in 2010 and will certainly be better this year.”

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First MotoGP Test of 2011 ends with Simoncelli on top

The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider ended Thursday at the Sepang Test with the fastest time of the entire three days. Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo were second and third fastest respectively, with Valentino Rossi tenth.

The first on-track MotoGP action of the year completed at Sepang on Thursday, and in an exciting opening chapter of the pre-season period it was Marco Simoncelli who topped the third and final day’s timesheet in Malaysia. The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider posted a 2’00.757 on his second of 42 laps, an effort that registered the best time of the entire Test and which was just 0.239s off Valentino Rossi’s 2009 circuit best lap.

The Ducati rider has also been one of the main focuses of concentration throughout these three days, and he ended Thursday tenth in the timings with a lap of 2’01.842 – 1.085s off his fellow compatriot’s scorching marker.

Casey Stoner has been in fine form throughout this Test and the new Repsol Honda employ was one of four riders to join Simoncelli under the 2’01” mark on the final day. The Australian’s effort of 2’00.811 was noted on his 38th of 42 laps, thus ongoing his pattern of setting his best time late in the day and showing no lingering effects of a fall at Turn 5 earlier on.

World Champion Jorge Lorenzo was just 0.088s off Simoncelli as he placed his factory M1 as the highest Yamaha of the day. The Spaniard, who performed a tyre test in the afternoon, was exactly 0.1s faster than Andrea Dovizioso, whose Repsol Honda machine was the third RC212V inside the top four by the close of play..

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MotoGP 2011: The new season

In less than one month’s time the first representative MotoGP Test of the year takes place at Sepang as the clash for the final 800cc title gets underway.

The 2010 crusade is still fresh in the memory but already the focus has turned to 2011. With the first Official Test in training for the new season coming right away after the final round of the year in Valencia back in November, the enthusiasm at the final 800cc season before the opening of a 1000c engine capacity limit in 2012 is merely adding to the expectation that the 2011 season will be one to savour.

Looking at the foremost contenders for the 2011 MotoGP title the defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will be at the front position, as he aims to underline his status as the new dominant force. Having been so consistent in 2010 and finishing 16 of the 18 rounds on the podium on his M1, the factory Yamaha rider displayed a level of adulthood that was very much improved in contrast to his previous premier class campaigns.

As Lorenzo opts for stability with Yamaha two of his chief rivals ride with new teams in 2011. Casey Stoner becomes a factory HRC rider and his show in the Valencia Test hinted at what was an instant similarity with the RC212V, whilst Valentino Rossi has filled the Australian’s seat at Ducati as an all-Italian match-up adds to the charming grid. Rossi may not have enjoyed as contented an introduction to his new machine as Stoner did to the Honda, but such is the nine-time World Champion’s established track record he can be predictable to be pushing hard on the Desmosedici come March 20th at Losail.

Along with Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa will hope to benefit from the constancy of residual with the same set-up in 2011, and for the 2010 runner-up it will be his sixth season on the factory Honda team. Having been Lorenzo’s longest contestant until injury struck towards the end of 2010, Pedrosa’s sights will be resolutely set on a first premier class title.

As much as the ‘top four’ carry on to be spoken of in one bracket, the gap at the back them is being closed all the time and there are a number of riders who will not only be sure of breaking into that elite, but who have proven they have the aptitude to run at the front.

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Jorge Lorenzo documentary premieres in Madrid

Televisión Española and Dorna Sports obtainable the documentary 'Jorge' in a particular premiere of the 80-minute film at the Cine Capitol in Madrid on Thursday evening.

The red carpet occasion in the Spanish capital was attended by 2010 MotoGP World Champion and subject Jorge Lorenzo. shaped by Dorna and presented by TVE the feature film documents the 23 year-old's journey from talented young talent to MotoGP World Champion, following Lorenzo in his chase of the title and getting up close and individual with only the second ever Spanish rider in history to claim the premier class crown.

Shot in high meaning 'Jorge' gives a detailed insight into the life of the man from Mallorca, both on a professional and personal level. An in-depth and sincere interview with Lorenzo himself, his parents, friends and professional associates provides viewers with a total profile of the World Champion, as does family video footage and images of the key moments of the 2010 campaign which comprise the hours before and after the Yamaha rider clinched the MotoGP World Championship title in Malaysia in October.

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Recap 2010: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix

motogp's complete summary of the ninth round of the season at the Laguna Seca offers you the chance to re-live the best of the action, with easy one-click access to the video highlights.

Marking the halfway point in the season – the ninth of 18 rounds on the 2010 MotoGP calendar – the Californian sunshine welcomed the premier class to the Laguna Seca in late July, and provided the chance for the premier class stars to enjoy some of the glitz and glamour thanks to the close nearness to Hollywood.

Taking advantage of that were Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards, who were connected by the MotoGP legends Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts and Wayne Rainey as Yamaha riders past and present were treated to a trip around the American TV presenter Jay Leno’s extensive collection of cars and motorcycles. Meanwhile over on Sunset Beach, Dani Pedrosa was surfing and then took a skydiving lesson in a wind tunnel courtesy of Red Bull.

The serious commerce began at the pre-race press conference where Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Spies were joined by Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. The famous Laguna track was also navigated by MotoGP legend Kevin Schwantz, who gave a tour of the circuit layout.

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Recap 2010: Gran Premio d’Italia TIM

MotoGp's comprehensive summary of the fourth round of the season at the Mugello Circuit offers you the chance to re-live the best of the action, with easy one-click access to the video highlights.

Mugello played host to the World Championship on the first weekend of June as round four called on the beautiful Tuscan countryside, and with the weather remaining fine throughout the three days it was an eventful stage in Italy.

The official pre-event saw some World Championship riders attempt to make a traditional Italian pizza, although their dough skills failed to match up to their abilities on board a motorcycle! The serious business began later that afternoon as a quintet of the MotoGP stars – Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli – attended the pre-race press conference as anticipation for the race grew.

The time for talking was soon over as the on-track action commenced and it was reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi who took control of the opening practice session, setting the fastest time as Casey Stoner experienced a difficult start to the session.

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."

Lorenzo focused on podium stay

The Championship leader’s goal is further consolidation of his advantage in the standings at the Misano, as he bids to maintain his record of having stood on the podium in every race this season.

Misano presents a new challenge for Jorge Lorenzo as the Fiat Yamaha rider takes his 68-point Championship lead to the Gran Premio Aperol di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini and a circuit on which he has twice finished second in the premier class.

The Spaniard comes into the 12th round of the 2010 campaign having placed outside the top two for the first time this season in the previous race at the Indianapolis. Third place can hardly be considered a drop in standards however and the result maintained the 23 year-old’s comfortable lead at the summit of the standings.

In Misano Lorenzo faces a track on which he has a solid personal record. In the three races he has ridden there he has been on the podium each time; a 250cc win in 2007 and second in the premier class in the precious two seasons the results that mark a confidence-inspiring affinity with the San Marinese venue.

This weekend Lorenzo will aim to maintain his 100% podium record in the 2010 as he aims to further protect his advantage, and he said: "We are going straight to Misano and I want to continue in the same way and get on the podium again. I've been second there for the last two years and I am feeling very motivated and looking forward to another good race.”

After a particularly draining weekend in the heat at Indy Lorenzo is hoping for kinder conditions. “I hope the temperature is a bit cooler than in Indy because it was really too hot there,” he said. “Last Sunday was my worst result this year, but I am still happy because it was still third and because it was very important for our goal, which is the Championship."

Lorenzo: Yamaha eager to beat Rossi

Jorge Lorenzo says Valentino Rossi's move to Ducati gives him and Yamaha "great motivation" to beat his current team-mate in 2011.

Rossi has signed a two-year deal with the Italian manufacturer and Lorenzo is eager to show that he can defeat the seven-time MotoGP world champion.

"Yamaha will do its maximum to beat him; more speed and engine power will be needed but we will work harder than ever," said Lorenzo. "Next season will be a very interesting championship."

The Spaniard has shared a difficult relationship with the Rossi as team-mates, with a wall separating the riders in the Yamaha garage.

"I didn't like the wall," Lorenzo said. "I would have expected more of the Rossi from the human side, rather than a bigger exchange of technical information. He unintentionally made me a favour, however, because he has made my team even closer together, and I now go even better since I don't have access to his telemetry.

"I've never felt nervous about the idea of fighting against Rossi. I knew I had to learn, improve and work hard. I've watched the races on TV since I was 10 and have learnt something from riders in every class. From Valentino I've learnt how to manage the race on and off the track much better."

Rossi will be replaced at the factory Yamaha team by current Tech 3 rider Ben Spies next year, and Lorenzo predicts that his relationship with the American will be less volatile.

"I can feel we will have a good relationship with Ben," he said. "Perhaps we won't be best friends, but there won't be a wall in the garage and we won't keep our telemetries secret."