Jorge Lorenzo hails Valentino Rossi revival

Jorge Lorenzo reckons his respect for factory Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi has rocketed having seen the Italian return to his best form in 2008.

Rossi’s 11 podiums in 13 races, which include six victories, have hugely impressed injury-hit rookie Lorenzo, who is team-mate to Rossi in the Fiat Yamaha squad.

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Rossi has only failed to finish on the podium twice in 2008 in Qatar and Assen and with Casey Stoner crashing out of the lead in the last two races, the 29-year-old Italian stands on the brink of an eighth world title.

He could also break Giacomo Agostini’s premier class victory tally of 68 in Indianapolis this weekend and his return to form has been Lorenzo, who won in Estoril back in April and roared back to the podium with second behind Rossi in Misano last month, said: “I respect him now the same way I respect him before, maybe even more.

“I think he is a guy that helped a lot this sport and helped make it bigger, and for that reason all of us has to be grateful, “said Lorenzo.

He added: “He has won a lot of races and titles and only for his mental capacity I think he deserves our respect.”