After the free practice round at the MotoGP Assen in which all riders seemed hell-bent on riding as flat out as possible, last week’s winner Jorge Lorenzo continued his excellent form, posting the fastest time.
He has a new contender on his heels though, in the form of Casey Stoner, who came in just 0.
011s behind.
In the post-free practice press conference, Lorenzo has admitted that Stoner is a tough competitor to beat in the long run.
In fact, Lorenzo says that between Stoner and Pedrosa, the Australian is harder to beat as a rival on the track especially in the final laps.
Admitting that he was a little bit scared coming into the free practice on account of the new and faster Ruskenhoek corner, Lorenzo now says the team is feeling confident this weekend: “The track is faster, I was a little bit scared but now I have seen it, I’m not so worried anymore.
”More questions at the press conference obviously surround the continuing rumours regarding Valentino Rossi’s possible move to Ducati, which have now developed into what Lorenzo himself would like to do next year.
The same question on whether he would prefer Rossi to stay or go was asked, with the answer being pretty much the same.
Although Lorenzo is providing more insight on just how it must be to be constantly compared to your teammate, saying: “I have the world champion as my teammate.
When you are world champion it’s because you deserve it, but I am trying to beat him on the same bike.
” So while Rossi might be out of the picture, Lorenzo’s message is not to undervalue his own victories – and here’s hoping he believes that himself.