MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo flattered by world title backing

Spanish rookie Jorge Lorenzo says he is flattered to be considered an early contender for the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

The Fiat Yamaha rider has made an instant impact in MotoGP, claiming two pole positions and two podiums in Qatar and Jerez.

Lorenzo is currently second in the standings behind early pacesetter Dani Pedrosa and many believe the scrap for the 2008 crown is already a four-horse race.

Jorge Lorenzo, factory Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi, bitter Spanish rival Pedrosa, and reigning world champion Casey Stoner are the main contenders, with just 11-points separating the quartet going into this weekend’s Estoril MotoGP in Portugal.

Asked if he was flattered to be considered a title threat already, Lorenzo told MCN: “For sure. I am very happy about this and it is a big surprise.”

But the double world 250 champion is not getting carried away and he added: “My time has not come yet.

“Maybe in the next races we might do worse results but our time is coming. I hope so anyway.”