Lorenzo wants to bounce back on strong Yamaha territory

Jorge Lorenzo should find things easier in Le Mans this year compared with his first visit to the French track as a MotoGP rider last year, when he rode with two fractured ankles.

His 2008 Grand Prix de France race saw him end up in second place despite his injuries, contributing to Yamaha’s podium domination alongside race-winning team-mate Valentino Rossi and third placed Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards.

This year Lorenzo approaches the French race with a bruised ego rather than any physical ailments - having walked away unscathed but heartbroken from his Jerez crash at round three, which took place on the day before his 22nd birthday.

With one win already under his belt this season the exciting Majorcan has shown that he has the talent and the knowledge to challenge the established order and he will want to banish those painful Spanish memories by returning to his best at the scene of his debut season heroics.

“Le Mans is the next stop and the first after my crash in Jerez,” stated Lorenzo as he previewed the weekend. “I was very sad about what happened there but now it is another story, everything begins again and I must try to do things step by step. The team and I need to improve after Jerez and main target is to get back on the podium.”

“I am fit and I like Le Mans, which is another historic circuit. I have had some difficult times there, and last year wasn’t easy because I crashed twice during the weekend, but in the end the result was good. I’ve been on the podium in each category and I will remember forever the incredible Yamaha podium of last year. It was amazing!”

In conclusion he joked, “I will also remember that podium because it’s the only one where I was on crutches!”