Grateful Lorenzo thanks Yamaha after win

Reacting to his superb maiden premier class win at Estoril on Sunday the double 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo gave his thanks to Yamaha and his team following an action-packed bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal race.

Having started on pole for the third consecutive round, after maintaining his 100% MotoGP qualifying record on Saturday, Lorenzo rode a brilliant race on board his Yamaha M1 prototype – battling with big guns Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa and timing his overtaking manoeuvres on the more experienced pair to perfection.

At a track where he had no previous experience of 800cc riding before Friday´s free practice sessions and where he had not always enjoyed competing in the smaller classes, the youngest rider in MotoGP put on a remarkable display to finish the race nearly two seconds ahead of second placed Pedrosa.

`I have to say thank you to Yamaha and to Fiat because without their confidence in me I wouldn´t be here now. I can´t believe it and it´s really impossible for me to describe my feelings, I´m so happy for everyone,´ enthused the victorious 20 year old.

`My team did a fantastic job and the Yamaha and my Michelin tyres worked very, very well today. The start of the race was quite crazy because there were some drops of rain and it looked like it might get worse.´

Looking back on how victory was achieved, Lorenzo continued, `I remember making my move on Valentino. I know it was quite a risk so I´m sorry to him but at that point I felt that I could make it and get away from him, so I took the chance and it worked.´

The Portuguese result puts Lorenzo at the head of the general standings on 61 points alongside Pedrosa - and prompted Lorenzo to say, `To be here after just three races and at the top of the championship as well is something that I could never have even dreamed of. We can´t afford to relax now however because Pedrosa and Rossi are here as well and they are two very fast and clever riders.´

The Majorcan star was again bothered by the build-up of pressure in his forearms during the race and confirmed that he will visit the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona for a further check-up on his conditions which could require him to go under the surgeon´s knife.

`I had some pain again in my arms today so tonight we will make a decision about whether or not I will have the operation before China. But for now I´m just going to enjoy this moment!´ concluded the Estoril race winner.