Jorge Lorenzo hopes Ducati’s Casey Stoner will do him a favour as he bids to beat Yamaha teammate and defending champion Valentino Rossi to the MotoGP title.
Spain’s Lorenzo, who has an awkward relationship with Rossi, won last Sunday’s race in Portugal to cut the Italian’slead to 18 points with three races remaining, starting with Australia next weekend.
“I trust Stoner a lot in Australia, he could finish ahead of Valentino.”
“I think Casey would not be upset if I won the title,” Lorenzo told Saturday’s Gazzetta dello Sport.” The News International
In Phillip Island, Rossi will arrive at a circuit that harbours fond memories, and one which he has stated as a personal favourite. In his 12 visits to the track across all classes the reigning world champion has only once failed to finish on the podium, with five consecutive victories from 2001-2005 in the MotoGP class forming the body of a standout record.
Rossi has not won in his last three outings Down Under though, and with main title rival Lorenzo putting together a strong finale to his season, the pressure is intensifying. Two wins and a runner-up spot in his last three races is fine form from Lorenzo, who finished fourth last year at Phillip Island on his MotoGP debut on the track from second on the grid, and has twice tasted victory there the 250cc class.
Casey Stoner’s impressive return to action in Portugal after a three-race absence means there is an added component to an already intriguing equation, with the Ducati Marlboro rider finishing second behind Lorenzo at Estoril. Stoner’s consecutive start-to-finish wins on his home track for the past two years mean that he will provide stern competition for both Yamaha factory riders, and at just three points behind third-placed Dani Pedrosa in the championship standings the Australian has his own immediate goal. Superbike News
