Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo laughs off home pressure

Jorge Lorenzo has laughed of suggestions he will be under severe pressure from his home fans during this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP race near Barcelona.

The Fiat Yamaha rider, who has won two races in 2009 to trail Aussie Casey Stoner by just four-points in the title hunt, denied he would be under extra scrutiny on home soil. Lorenzo had a nightmare in Catalunya last season when he missed the race after suffering severe concussion in a heavy practice crash.

And his last experience of the pressure cooker atmosphere generated in Spain was also an unhappy one when he tumbled out of podium contention during the Spanish GP in Jerez early last month.

But looking relaxed at today’s pre-event press conference, Lorenzo joked when asked if he would feel the weight of expectation from a massive crowd at the Montmelo circuit. “I’m really scared of the pressure. I’m really under pressure,” said a laughing Lorenzo.

“For me I don’t feel the pressure. For me it’s the same to race in Montmelo than to race in Australia or in Malaysia. It’s normal that here I like to get a better result, because there are a lot of people who are here to watch me, but my objective is still to finish better in the championship than last year.”