Lorenzo pays tribute to ‘number one’ Rossi

Fourth place in the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix was not enough for Jorge Lorenzo to prevent Valentino Rossi from securing this year’s title, after a mechanical fault meant the Spaniard started the race from the back of the grid.

Having qualified in second behind Rossi for the race, a problem with his YZR-M1 prototype as the sighting lap started meant Lorenzo had to change bikes, and he then made it to the grid too late to take his place on the front row.

“We tried to start the race with bike number one, but it wouldn’t start so we took the second bike but we lost a few minutes. We thought it was possible to do two (sighting) laps like the other riders, but the time was finished so we had to start the race in last place,” said Lorenzo.

The 22 year-old continued to assess his display, which saw him make up ground with a blistering start, before rear-grip issues saw him fall away from the battle for third between Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, who came second.

“I started very well and overtook eight or nine riders in the first lap and I was feeling okay, but at the middle of the race the rear tyre started to spin and it was impossible to follow Vale and Dani to finish second,” explained Lorenzo. “Fourth place is okay and we just have to get the points in Valencia to ensure second place in the championship.”

Finally, Lorenzo acknowledged the achievement of Rossi, after the 30 year-old secured his seventh premier class title.

“We tried to the end to beat him, but I think he was the number one this year because he’s been faster than us in almost every race. He was more consistent than us and he was more clever, so he is the winner,” concluded Lorenzo.