from TWOWHEELSBLOG
Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi will be heading to Catalunya in Spain this weekend for the sixth round of the MotoGP championship.
Lorenzo after his dominate victory at Mugello will be hoping for the same performance on another of his ‘home circuits’ that put him on the top spot of the podium last year and in 2010. The reigning World Champion has never been lower than second place in his previous appearances (in 2008 he withdrew from the race after a big crash during Friday afternoon’s second free practice session when he was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion).
Jorge Lorenzo said, “I’m quite satisfied after our great result at Mugello that completed an almost perfect weekend. Winning again was very positive for me and for the team and now we go to Montmeló, my home grand prix. Some parts of the track are quite suitable for us but the doubt is always if the track conditions and the temperature can benefit us. I am very optimistic for the race and we will keep on working on the bike in the same way that we did in Italy. Compared to Mugello, Montmeló is a little bit slower but at least there are no first gear corners and hopefully that will help us a lot. This is a good track for us and we have to profit from it and try to repeat the victory. It could be great for the Championship. As far as I’m concerned I will push 100% to achieve it.”
Valentino Rossi will be searching for redemption after a first lap crash/clash with Honda’s Alvaro Bautista, suffering his second DNF of the season that dropped him down to sixth in the standings and behind Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso.
After five races Rossi is still chasing a second podium finish and qualifying better is the only chance he’ll have in trying to turnaround his so far disappointing season.
The Catalunya circuit is another of Rossi’s favorites and he has claimed more victories than any other GP rider, including one 125cc win in 1997, 250cc wins in 1998 and 1999, one 500cc victory in 2001 and five premier class victories in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and in 2009 when he beat team mate Lorenzo in one of the most remembered battles in the recent history of GP racing.
“For a few days after I had the crash at Mugello, I hurt everywhere! Fortunately I was able to start training immediately and I did not waste any time. The Barcelona race will be very important, especially after recent results. I want to get on the podium in Spain and I will do my best as usual. It will be important to start the weekend in the best way and make a good qualifying. It will be very important to start from the front,” said Rossi.
