Jorge Lorenzo was pleased to see his name at the top of the final classification in Portugal on Friday. In the first practice session, the Yamaha rider came within two tenths of a second of his Estoril lap record to finish well over three tenths quicker than Dani Pedrosa's Honda.
"It's good to be back on the bike after one month but also quite hard!" Jorge laughed. "I enjoyed today though and we did a good job and made an encouraging start. After a bit of work we were able to do a very good time and I am happy to be in front, it's important at this stage of the championship to make a strong start this weekend. We have one or two things to improve but we are in good shape."Also present in Portugal is Casey Stoner, as the 2007 Champion returns in a bid to steal take place in the championship back off Dani Pedrosa. "I am happy to see Casey back and also to see that he is already strong," Lorenzo added after seeing the Australian finish fourth in practice."Finally, I want to mention the special sticker I have on my bike this weekend for Lukas Sembera, a young Czech rider who had a bad accident two weeks ago - I wish him all the best in his recovery."
"It's good to be back on the bike after one month but also quite hard!" Jorge laughed. "I enjoyed today though and we did a good job and made an encouraging start. After a bit of work we were able to do a very good time and I am happy to be in front, it's important at this stage of the championship to make a strong start this weekend. We have one or two things to improve but we are in good shape."Also present in Portugal is Casey Stoner, as the 2007 Champion returns in a bid to steal take place in the championship back off Dani Pedrosa. "I am happy to see Casey back and also to see that he is already strong," Lorenzo added after seeing the Australian finish fourth in practice."Finally, I want to mention the special sticker I have on my bike this weekend for Lukas Sembera, a young Czech rider who had a bad accident two weeks ago - I wish him all the best in his recovery."
Yamaha championship contender Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets as MotoGP returned to Estoril. The Spaniard, 30 points behind team-mate Valentino Rossi in the standings, led the way in Portugal from the Honda of Dani Pedrosa, Rossi and a returning Casey Stoner who was fourth for Ducati.
With just four races to go this year including this weekend's meeting, Lorenzo knows that the gap to Rossi must be reduced immediately; he responded to his team-mate's points lead in the best possible fashion on Friday afternoon by setting a leading time of 1:37.185 - just two tenths off his own lap record - in the hour-long session.Pedrosa proved again that he is seemingly the only man on par with the rapid Yamahas although Dani needs to watch his own back with returnee Stoner already on the pace; having missed three Grands Prix due to illness, the Australian is now determined to snatch back third place in the championship as Ducati runs a trio of bikes.Colin Edwards was fifth, behind Rossi and Stoner, with Donington winner Dovizioso, de Puniet, de Angelis and Kallio all making the top ten. Also in that group - and in eighth place - was Britain's James Toseland, on his first race weekend since confirming a return to World Superbikes next season.
With just four races to go this year including this weekend's meeting, Lorenzo knows that the gap to Rossi must be reduced immediately; he responded to his team-mate's points lead in the best possible fashion on Friday afternoon by setting a leading time of 1:37.185 - just two tenths off his own lap record - in the hour-long session.Pedrosa proved again that he is seemingly the only man on par with the rapid Yamahas although Dani needs to watch his own back with returnee Stoner already on the pace; having missed three Grands Prix due to illness, the Australian is now determined to snatch back third place in the championship as Ducati runs a trio of bikes.Colin Edwards was fifth, behind Rossi and Stoner, with Donington winner Dovizioso, de Puniet, de Angelis and Kallio all making the top ten. Also in that group - and in eighth place - was Britain's James Toseland, on his first race weekend since confirming a return to World Superbikes next season.
Source :moto.gpupdate.net
