Lorenzo confident for Aragon and aiming to further reduce championship gap

The MotoGP Championship returns to the ‘Motorland’ circuit in Aragon this weekend for round 14 of the 2011 season. This will be only the second visit to the Spanish circuit, the third ‘home’ race of the year for Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. The Mallorcan arrives in Aragon with renewed confidence and motivation in the battle for the title after taking a perfect victory last week in Misano. The race win reduces his points gap from leader Casey Stoner to 35 points with five races remaining. The 2010 Aragon race saw Lorenzo start from second on the front row having narrowly missed pole and finish just off the podium in fourth after a battle with Nicky Hayden.

Aragon was first scheduled as a replacement for the Hungarian MotoGP round last year. The track is situated near the town of Alcaniz in northern Spain, a few hours drive from Barcelona. Designed by Hermann Tillke, the circuit is impressive and challenging with spectacular elevation changes and fast, flowing corners.

Jorge Lorenzo: “I am very happy to be riding at home again and for a second time in Aragon. I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans there, and especially my Fan Club who are coming. Last year I couldn’t get the podium which was a big shame. I wanted it because I was competing in Spain and the season had been perfect and also because I was wearing Shoya’s helmet in his memory. I had a good race two weeks ago in Misano and now I am very confident we can obtain another podium, we believe we can again reduce our gap to Casey.”

Wilco Zeelenberg: “Jorge is in a winning mood, we saw that in Misano. All our efforts are focused on another victory which is what we need to close the gap. We didn’t have a very good weekend at Aragon last year but in the meantime many things have changed so I believe we are able to change our feeling for the track. Jorge is well rested and physically fit so we are in the best place to challenge for another win.”

Source: Yamaha Racing