Estoril MotoGP Reaction: Jorge Lorenzo in ‘heaven’ after maiden win

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo said he was in ‘heaven’ after he stormed to his first MotoGP win in hugely impressive style in Estoril today.

The double world 250 champion finally converted a pole position into a win after two failed attempts in Qatar and Jerez to go to joint top of the world championship points standings with bitter Spanish rival Dani Pedrosa, who finished second.

Lorenzo was in unstoppable form in tricky conditions once he hit the front on lap 13.

He had briefly been dropped to third place on lap 11 when Pedrosa moved by, but the 20-year-old retaliated just two laps later with a clinical outbraking move going into turn one.

And on the same lap he hit the front with a bold move to snatch the lead from Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi on the brakes going into the slow chicane.

From that point, Lorenzo reeled off a series of fast laps to pull away from Pedrosa and a fading Rossi.

He said: ““I feel like I’m in heaven! First of all I have to say thank you to Yamaha and to Fiat because without their confidence in me I wouldn’t be here now. I can’t believe it and it’s really impossible for me to describe my feelings, I’m so happy for everyone!

“My team did a fantastic job and my Yamaha and my Michelin tyres worked very, very well today. The start of the race was quite crazy because there were some drops of rain and it looked like it might get worse.

“Anyway I just carried on and really I can’t remember the details of exactly what happened…I remember making my pass on Valentino; I know it was quite a risk so I’m sorry to him but at that point I felt that I could make it and get away from him, so I took the chance and it worked.

“I’m so proud of everyone, to be here after just three races and at the top of the championship as well is something that I could never have even dreamed of.

“We can’t afford to relax now however because Pedrosa and Rossi are here as well and they are two very fast and clever riders.

“I had some pain again in my arms today so tonight we will make a decision about whether or not I will have the [arm pump] operation before China, but for now I’m just going to enjoy this moment!”