Lorenzo aiming to enjoy end of season fiesta

Only a non point-scoring finish for Jorge Lorenzo and a race victory for Casey Stoner at Valencia on Sunday can deny the Fiat Yamaha rider the runner-up position in the 2009 MotoGP standings - at the end of what has been a remarkable second season for the Spaniard in the premier class.

Four victories, five pole positions, 11 podiums, 15 front row starts, some superb battles with his World Champion team-mate Valentino Rossi and some spectacular crashes have put Lorenzo in the headlines throughout the year and now he is aiming to put on another great show for the huge Spanish crowd which will gather at the Ricardo Tormo circuit as of Friday.

Indeed Lorenzo’s official fan club will be out in force at his final home appearance of 2009, with thousands of his supporters gathering in the ‘Tribuna Azul’ section of the circuit, underneath a six metre long Lorenzo’s Land zeppelin balloon, which is sure to add to the party atmosphere throughout the round 17 weekend.

Although the 22-year-old has never won at Valencia he has some great memories from the track, having finished as runner-up there in the 2005 250cc contest, before clinching the first of his two 250cc titles there in 2006.

“It is an amazing place to finish the championship, at home, with your fans,” Lorenzo commented. “I’ve never had a victory there and I know that it’s not one of the best tracks for Yamaha, but I am confident that I can try to change that and finish the championship in the best possible way.”

He continued, “The last two races haven’t been great for me and I really want to get over that. I only need one point to become ‘vice-champion' and I would really like to do that with a podium or a win. That’s my aim in Valencia.”

“My best race here was in 2005, when I finished in second place but I think my best memory was in 2006 when I won the championship there. 2009 has been an amazing year for me and for Yamaha and I am looking forward to celebrating with my fans at a home race.”