Lorenzo and Rossi ready for the Qatar spotlight

The Yamaha team is well prepared for the first event of the 2013 season at the Qatar Circuit. Both Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are ready for what is expected to be an extremely exciting year.

After a long winter, the moment of truth has arrived. Yamaha Factory Racing is preparing this week for the first Grand Prix of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship, in a special setting like Qatar and its floodlights.

The reigning MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo, arrives in Qatar as one of the favourites, eager to start the season under the lights of the Losail Circuit. Moreover, this track has always suited the Mallorcan well, with the podium being his usual place there. For his part, Rossi is preparing for his first race back with Yamaha, and he does so with confidence after what he experienced during these tests and the pre-season.

Statements from Jorge Lorenzo:

I am very excited to return to Qatar and start the season. The tests have been good, we have a good pace and we are very happy with our performance. We still have some areas to improve, but our situation is not bad compared to our rivals and I think we can fight for the victory.

Jerez was a good point for us after the Austin test, on a new circuit where we perhaps have not yet found a perfect feeling. In Jerez we were able to do a long run and all the Yamahas finished ahead, which gave us extra motivation before travelling to Qatar. It also showed us that each track is different. It is going to be an exciting championship and I want to retain the crown, but it will be difficult.

There are some great riders this year. I was surprised by Márquez’s pace and also by Valentino in his return to Yamaha. Dani is also as strong as he was in the latter part of the 2012 season. We are going to fight very hard from the first race, and I think we are in good shape to do so. Losail is a circuit where we usually find a difficult track surface, with a lot of sand, and that is why the tyres are always very complicated there. We will see how we can manage it. I feel very fit and ready, so I want to get started!

Statements from Valentino Rossi:

I am very satisfied with the work done in Jerez and during the winter. I have been fast and everything has gone smoothly. We have a competitive bike to fight for the podium.

I don’t think Qatar is going to be easy; it is a complicated track for me, but I believe I can hold my own and achieve a good result. The 2013 season is already here. After the tests I know I can be competitive at some tracks, but also that I may have problems at others. The `feeling´ with the M1 is good and this is going to help me at all circuits, including Qatar.

Source | Yamaha Factory Racing