Casey Stoner not shocked by Jorge Lorenzo form

MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner says he’s not shocked by the brilliant early season form of Fiat Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo.

The Spaniard has only failed to finish off the podium once in 2009 when he crashed out of his home race in Jerez while challenging Stoner for third position.

Lorenzo has already won two races and trails Stoner by just four-points going into the next round in Catalunya on June 14.

Many expected the 2009 title fight to be a two-rider duel between Stoner and Italian Valentino Rossi after the duo dominated the new 800cc era in 2007 and ’08.

But Stoner said he never ruled out 22-year-old Lorenzo.

The Aussie, who is the only rider in the top three to have scored points in every race so far, said: “I’m not surprised that Lorenzo is doing so well. This is what I’ve been saying all season. Everyone had me and Valentino down for the world championship and they forgot about Jorge and Dani (Pedrosa). Dani struggled in Mugello but he’s been fast and people forget too quickly and don’t realise that people can surprise you.”