Jorge Lorenzo: ‘I’ll fight to the end’

Jorge Lorenzo’s hopes of successfully defending his MotoGP title in 2013 suffered another big blow in Sepang when he finished third behind dominant Repsol Honda duo Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez.

The factory Yamaha rival is now 43-points adrift of rookie sensation Marquez and the HRC star can clinch a historic first premier class crown if he scores eight points more than Lorenzo in Australia this weekend.

A lack of braking stability was a major concern for Lorenzo as he was powerless to defend against Pedrosa and Marquez, who scored a fifth 1-2 of the season in scorching hot conditions.

Lorenzo’s bid to win a third premier class title appears to be all but over but he said he will not give up fighting until is mathematically impossible to deny Marquez a historic triumph.

“It is not over because Marc is still not world champion but it is close to impossible. Not only because of the points but also because they are stronger.  We have tried to improve the bike but we are not at the same level, “said Lorenzo.

With Pedrosa claiming a third win of the season in Sepang, he is now only 11-points behind Lorenzo in the battle for second position in the rankings.

Second might only be a consolation prize but Lorenzo is still determined not to let Pedrosa move ahead of him in the standings and he added: “My goal will be to win at Phillip Island and stay ahead of Dani because being the runner-up is better than being third.

“All I can do is try and end the year in the best way possible and I will fight to the end.”

For more from Lorenzo, including his reaction to a close battle with Marquez in Malaysia, see the October 16 issue of MCN.