Smooth like butter, rhythmic like a hammer. This has been the mantra of Jorge Lorenzo in 2010 – one even displayed on his brake levers – and it has been evident. The young Spaniard has been smooth and consistent in the nine rounds so far, taking six victories and finishing second on the three occasions that a win has not been possible. Added to that five poles and 210 points from a possible 225 and Lorenzo’s season until now has been almost perfect.
The Fiat Yamaha rider has taken a huge step, not only in the quality of his riding but also in his approach to races. Lorenzo has learned to read races differently, knowing when to strike for victory when the circumstances permit but also being aware that second place on the occasions that his rivals have the upper hand is better than a fall.
Looking back to the start of the season makes Lorenzo’s achievements so far all the more impressive, given the fact he started the campaign still carrying the effects of a pre-season training injury which meant he arrived in Qatar for round one far from being in his best physical shape. Second place under the floodlights was therefore a highly impressive outcome.
The following race at Jerez saw the best of Lorenzo, as his hunger for a first premier class win on home soil saw him recover an advantage built up in the race by rival Dani Pedrosa to overcome his fellow Spaniard and win. After his first victory of the season Lorenzo used the one-day test to practice his starts, and it paid off. Victory at Le Mans in the next round followed (his first back-to-back premier class wins), before second place at Mugello behind Pedrosa. There then followed three consecutive wins: Silverstone, Assen and Catalunya. Second at Sachsenring was next as he accepted more valuable points with Pedrosa winning, and a win at Laguna Seca completed a phenomenal first half of the season for the Mallorcan.
Lorenzo has already built up one of the best records in history in terms of win and points percentage. With a 72-point advantage over Pedrosa and 95 over Andrea Dovizioso in the race for the 2010 title, a similar second half to Lorenzo’s season would surely secure a first MotoGP World Championship title for the Spaniard.
Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/
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