MotoGP: Casey Stoner unsure on Jorge Lorenzo's early chances

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner believes it will be tough for Jorge Lorenzo to have the same immediate impact in MotoGP like Dani Pedrosa did in 2006.

Triple world champion Pedrosa made a sensational start to his MotoGP career, claiming a podium in his first race, which he followed up with his maiden victory in only his fourth outing on board the Repsol Honda 990cc machine.

Lorenzo has already played down his own hopes of emulating fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa’s fast start, even though he topped the timesheets at last week’s historic Qatar night test.

Ducati’s Casey Stoner, who won 10 races in a dominant 2007 season, said: “We’ll have to see what happens with Jorge.

“He has proven himself very fast in 250s by being double world champion. He is obviously a very fast rider and he is learning very quickly with the Yamaha.

“But I think it is also very, very difficult to beat what Dani did in his first race in MotoGP.

“To finish second in your first race is truly amazing, so I think it is very difficult.”