Lorenzo feeling confident on M1 in Italy

Keen to avoid a repeat of his heartbreaking DNF at Jerez the last time he qualified on pole, Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo says he feels comfortable on his M1 at Mugello, where he is riding for the first time on Bridgestone tyres this weekend.

Despite some difficulties in the final section of the Tuscan track earlier in qualifying he eventually got it right in the Italian sunshine to nail a 1’48.987 lap at the end of the session and outdo Casey Stoner, Loris Capirossi and Valentino Rossi for pole.

“During the session we had some problems in T4 and we still need to try to improve a bit in that section, but I am fast with both types of tyre and in the end I was able to do one very fast lap,” said the Spaniard at the end of the hour-long GP run.

Reflecting on Saturday’s results in general the 22 year-old add, “I feel satisfied with the pole position. It is important to be on the front row and get a good start here. We have good pace on the harder (race) tyres and it looks like we will have the chance to fight for the podium and maybe the victory.”

Asked about he chances of overcoming his brilliant team-mate Rossi - who has been unbeatable at Mugello for seven years - and also fending off the highly experienced Capirossi, who is on the front row, Lorenzo replied, “We know the Italian riders are very fast here because they are highly motivated and they want to win, but we are also very competitive and we are confident on the bike.”

Referring to his Spanish disappointment last time he was on pole, he concluded, “We are not having to take too many risks here so I think tomorrow we will have fun and I hope to finish the race!”