Lorenzo talks to motogp.com about arm pump problems

Jorge Lorenzo is hoping the electric start to his rookie MotoGP adventure will not be adversely affected by his ‘arm pump' problems in forthcoming rounds and aims to avoid surgery on his forearms by stretching and receiving regular massages.

Pole positions and podium finishes in Qatar and Jerez have given the double 250cc World Champion plenty of reason for optimism but Lorenzo believes he might have done even better had the pressure build-up in his arms during his first two 800cc races not caused him such discomfort.

Earlier this week the 20 year-old Fiat Yamaha star was examined by Dr. Xavier Mir, the Barcelona Clinica Dexeus specialist who treats many of the MotoGP riders, with surgery ruled out for the immediate future.

At a launch event for sponsors Lotus watches on Thursday, Lorenzo told motogp.com, `At the moment we are not going to operate and I think with stretching and massage it will be possible to continue like this. We will try to do better and resolve the problem as much as we can because in the two last races this problem has slowed our pace and results slightly.´

On his good fortune that passing under the surgeon's knife is not yet required, he continued, `It depends on the person and not everyone has the same build. So I am lucky. We will try not to operate, because surgery is complicated and for the body it is not the perfect solution.´

Having topped the timesheets in Monday's post-Gran Premio bwin.com de España test, and in doing so having also cut down on his Sunday race lap times, he added, `There was a little bit of an improvement. Now I can say we are a little bit more competitive. But we are fighting with a lot of riders who are very, very fast, and very talented. I have always said it will be difficult to beat them and difficult to win.´

Looking ahead to round three of the World Championship at Estoril in just over a week's time, Lorenzo concluded, `It´s strange because of the wind which is stronger than at the rest of the circuits and it could also rain in Portugal. I like it, it´s a little bit old but it has a very long straight.´