“Unexpected” win admits Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo’s advantage at the top of the World Championship was extended to 77 points with victory at the Cardion ab Grand Prix Czech Republic, as the Fiat Yamaha rider took what was the 50th win for Spain in the premier class.

Starting from third on the grid the 23 year-old rose to the head of the race and won by a margin of over five seconds ahead of Dani Pedrosa. It was a result Lorenzo admitted he had not thought too much about after a Saturday that threw up some front-end issues and also included a crash late in qualifying.

"After my problems yesterday and the crash I didn't expect this today, I thought it would be much more of a struggle,” said Lorenzo. “Once I got to the front I expected Dani to come with me and I knew it was my moment and that I had to push as much as possible. I thought he would try to overtake me but I felt good, pushed hard and little by little I was able to lose him. I know I said I was riding for the Championship now and that's still true but when there's the chance to win I have to take it!”

By taking victory the Mallorcan became only the third rider in premier class history to have placed in the top two in each of the opening ten races of a campaign. With his lead in the standings even more healthy than before Lorenzo is now focused on making improvements in the one-day test at Brno that takes place tomorrow (Monday).

“To take my seventh win in one season is fantastic, thank you to all of my team for such a good job after we had difficulties yesterday,” he stated.

“Tomorrow we have an important test which we hope will help us in the last part of the Championship and then we go to Indianapolis, a track that I love."