MotoGP: Jerry Burgess impressed with Jorge Lorenzo

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess reckons MotoGP rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo is destined for a great premier class future after being impressed by the Spaniard’s start to 2008.

The double world 250 champion has already claimed two pole positions and two podiums in his first two starts in MotoGP in Qatar and Jerez.

And it is a start that has caught the eye of Aussie Burgess, who was the technical mastermind behind the ten MotoGP world titles won by Mick Doohan and Rossi.

“He is very impressive, no doubt about that.  But he’s on a great bike, Yamaha have made a very good step this year,” said Burgess.

He added: “He’s strong and fast and very good for Yamaha.  No matter how he behaves outside the track he’s a real racer in the garage and on the bike. I noticed this in the gap between the Qatar test and the race when I saw him at the hotel in Doha.

“He didn’t jump on a plane and go back to Europe for four days, it‚s only a five hour flight, after all. He stayed in Qatar to train and focus on the race. He‚s an excellent talent and is going to be great for Yamaha because he’ll be stirring Dani (Pedrosa) up!”