MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo keen to bounce back in Estoril

Rookie star Jorge Lorenzo believes he has the mental strength to bounce back from his disappointing Spanish MotoGP with another podium challenge in this weekend’s Estoril clash in Portugal.

Although Lorenzo continued the brilliant start to his premier class career with third place in Jerez, the result fell well short of pre-race expectations after he had dominated practice and qualifying.

The Fiat Yamaha rider, who trails bitter Spanish rival Dani Pedrosa by four-points going into this Sunday’s Portugal race, told MCN: “When I woke up after Jerez I was very disappointed but I put my Ipod in my ears to try and find my motivation and I got it.”

And he said he would have no problems in trying to bounce back in Estoril.

“It is no problem, the problem is the mind. If the mind is not correct you will struggle, but if the mind is set then it is no problem.

“I am lucky to have learned to be concentrated and motivated,” said Lorenzo, who will have to undergo a series of rigorous stretching exercises throughout the weekend to help with an arm pump problem that has hindered him in the first two races.

Medical checks after Jerez showed the double world 250 champion doesn’t not require surgery, but he added: “I will do a lot of stretching but if it carries on being a problem then maybe I have no choice but to have an operation.

“An operation means I need two weeks to recover and it is difficult, so I might have to wait for the summer break.

“I tried a slimmer handlebar at the test after Jerez and it seems like it is better for my arms. I think this is important.”