Jorge Lorenzo says he’s going into the 2015 MotoGP season in much better shape than the previous year, but he still thinks Marc Marquez is the favourite to win.
Except for 2008’s fourth-overall finish, Lorenzo had never finished lower than second in a MotoGP series since 2006, until last year; he struggled in 2014 after a poor start to the season (although he eventually managed third overall).
Part of that poor performance was due to the fact he was still recovering from injuries, but he says he’s in better shape this time around.
“Physically, I’m stronger from training because we have been focusing on the best workout sessions and I have not had to undergo surgery as occurred in 2014,” Lorenzo said. However, he added he was going to be cautious with predictions about his performance until he got on the new bike (the 2015 YZR-M1 was also unveiled today – see it below).
Lorenzo said preparation helped create better results, but winning would require more than off-season training. He said this year’s bike was suppose to be improved over last year’s factory machine, leaving him optimistic about results.
“Last year the bike got better and better and in the second half I was able to take podiums. If we continue improving and other factories do not give many steps forward I think we can start strongly. You never know if winning is enough but at least staying constantly on the podium will mean finishing high up in the World Championship.”
Although Lorenzo was a consistent podium threat at the end of last year’s season, he said Marc Marquez will once again be the racer to beat for 2015, as he was the rider who dominated 2014.
“”I think the final result of the championship was in line with how the season went,” said Lorenzo. “I think Marquez should be the favourite, and then Valentino. Dani and I are behind until the opposite is proven.”
Yamaha has also just published a video showing off their 2015 YZR-M1 MotoGP machine.
The video isn’t chock-full of technical information about the upgrades to this year’s machine, but does give you a good look at the bike Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will be piloting around the world’s tracks this year.
The 2015 MotoGP season officially begins on March 29 at Losail Circuit in Qatar.
