
UMC: For 2009 Michelin dropped out of MotoGP and Bridgestone become the sole tire provider. How would you say this has affected the racing overall?Jorge Lorenzo: It’s been better for the show. This year almost all races have given emotions while last year’s were boring. I did not agree with the sole tire solution, as I believe in the competition between R&D of each brand. But Dorna’s decision has proven to be the right one as we can see from this year’s races.UMC: What is your opinion of the elimination of the 250cc class for 2010? Jorge Lorenzo: Moto2 is the future. New bikes on the market and less costs, that’s extremely important for all teams and sponsors.UMC: Your last few laps with teammate Valentino Rossi in Barcelona offered some of the most exciting moments in the 2009 season so far. Are you good friends off the track or do you each go your own way at the end of the day?Jorge Lorenzo: We have a lot of respect and this is most important in a team as competitive as ours.UMC: Rossi has been very vocal about the lack of excitement in modern-day MotoGP due to the advent of traction control and the sophisticated electronics found on the machines. What is your take on the role these advances and electronics play in MotoGP? Jorge Lorenzo: I would like a MotoGP without electronics at all. In this way we could see how different one rider is from each other. The real skills of a rider.UMC: It’s simply amazing what American rider Ben Spies has been doing on the World Superbike circuit. Have you been following that series and if so, what do you think of his record so far?Jorge Lorenzo: I follow Ben on magazines. I think he’s doing a very good season, although Haga has begun better than him. Now he has a clear opportunity to become World Champion.UMC: You are the youngest rider in MotoGP to finish on the podium in his first three races taking the record from Dani Pedrosa by a single day. Are you and Dani bitter rivals as has been reported in the past or are you friendly with one another at this point?Jorge Lorenzo: This year we have a respectful relation. I’m a polite guy and I don’t want a war out of the track. I think our problems are over.UMC: How often do you get to be at home when you are on the road during the season? What do you do when you are at home?Jorge Lorenzo: I spend almost half of the year at home, in Barcelona. No so bad! I love computers, playing videogames with my friends, reading books and practicing any kind of sport as soccer or tennis.Jorge Lorenzo Information Date of Birth: 04/05/1987
Place of Birth: Mallorca, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 55 kg
Marital Status: Single
Hobbies: Music, videogames, internet
Total Races: 111 (17 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Victories: 22 (1 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
Pole Positions: 30 (4 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
Podiums: 44 (6 x MotoGP, 29 x 250cc, 9 x 125cc)
Wins: 2 (250cc, 2006/2007)
First Grand Prix: Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc) www.dainese.comD-Store location photos by: Jeff MurrayAlan Tecchio is a freelance writer based in the NY metro area who has interviewed 100s of celebrities. He is an avid motorcyclist and active Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider coach. He is also the lead singer of the rock band Autumn Hour who recently released the hard-hitting album entitled Dethroned.