2012 MotoGP
This past Saturday at in Montmelo, Spain, some members of the Jorge Lorenzo Official Fan Club were able to race the 2010 MotoGP Champion.
Well, not officially on a track or anything; these fans raced the Yamaha Factory Racing rider on the dirt at the Catalonias Offroad Circuit as part of a special appreciation day for lucky Lorenzo fan members.
And between all the action, MotoGP.com was on board, asking the 24-year-old Spaniard about the event and his preparations for the 2012 Championship.
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “This is the first time we made a fan club race with bikes, last year and in 2010 we did a kart race and a fan club dinner. Today there are about 200 people here and 50 people who are racing bikes, and those who reach the final will race with me. The important thing is to have fun with my fans and to ride together.”
Lorenzo was then asked about the new 1000cc M1, and physical preparation to handle the more powerful machine.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “The M1 is very competitive this year, much more than the 800. Last year we reached the top of the bike’s performance and couldn’t improve it much more, but with the 1000, the possibilities are greater and we can improve the bike much more.
“I trained a bit harder physically this winter. I run in the mountains a lot and do more or less 10 to 12 kilometers, plus lots of weights and stretching.”
Speaking of the added 4 kg to the newer M1, Lorenzo says “Fortunately, it feels more or less the same.”
The next on-track outing for Lorenzo and the MotoGP grid will be the final pre-season tests at Jerez in two weeks. During the last MotoGP testing sessions at Sepang, Lorenzo finished second and fourth, respectively.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “Now we have to focus on the electronics, because at the apex of the corner when I open the throttle, the bike is a little bit unstable. So we need to improve the electronics to help with the stability on acceleration. That will help up make up a lot of time.”
Lorenzo then offered MotoGP.com what he expects in the season ahead.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “A lot of suffering and a lot of stress as always! Because this MotoGP, the best motorcycle racing in the world, so the level is really high and you are always at the limit. But we have many options this year so I am excited to start.”