US MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo not worried by ’08 failure

Jorge Lorenzo believes he will have no problems in banishing painful memories of Laguna Seca as he looks to get back to winning ways in Sunday’s American MotoGP clash.

Laguna Seca was a venue for one of Lorenzo’s spectacular 2008 crashes when he suffered a huge high-side on the opening lap.

He suffered two broken bones in his left foot but the 22-year-old Spaniard is confident his lack of experience at the California track will not be crucial this weekend.

Without a win since Le Mans, Lorenzo has played second fiddle to Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi and Assen but he said: “Last year Laguna wasn’t good for me but I don’t think about this.

“It’s the only time I’ve been there but I don’t see that as a problem – until 2008 I’d never won in Portugal before and I won my first race there in MotoGP, and then again this year I won in Motegi where I’d never won before, so I don’t consider any track ‘bad’ for me – the past doesn’t matter.

“We are feeling very strong after the last races and everyone is very motivated to continue in the same way so I am looking forward to the challenge and learning more about the track. I will do my best and hopefully that will mean we can run at the front again.”