They are two of the biggest names in motorcycle racing, and tensions were high the last time they were on the same team, but Jorge Lorenzo says rival Valentino Rossi's return to Yamaha is "good news."
Rossi left the Japanese
team in 2010 after Lorenzo won his first world MotoGP championship,
ending the Italian's two seasons of dominance.
Rossi, who won the world
title four times with Yamaha and three with Honda, has struggled to be
competitive since joining Ducati, managing just two podium placings in
28 races.
The 33-year-old has
agreed a deal for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, resuming a partnership
which Yamaha described as a "super team" when the news was announced
last Friday."I think our relationship has got better, though maybe it's got better
because we were in different teams," Lorenzo said on the MotoGP website
ahead of this weekend's Indianapolis Grand Prix.
"It's good news for
Yamaha because we achieved a lot of good results together. It's a big
motivation to have him back because I always like to have the best
riders in my garage.
"Valentino is one of
them. I assume trying to beat me will be a big motivation for him. For
Yamaha, it will be a good thing, that's the most important thing."
Rossi won 46 races in his seven years at Yamaha, but his final season was blighted by injuries and Lorenzo took full advantage.
The Spaniard lost his
crown to Casey Stoner last year but tops this season's standings by 23
points from Honda's Dani Pedrosa with five wins and four second-placings
from 10 of the 18 races so far.
Rossi is eighth overall,
but still ahead of Lorenzo's 10th-placed American teammate Ben Spies,
who will leave Yamaha at the end of this season.
"Someone who has talent normally keeps it and doesn't lose it like this in two years," Lorenzo said of Rossi.
"He is still young
enough. He is 33, he has won a lot of races. With the Yamaha a better
bike this year, it will be easier for him.
"It's true that us
younger riders are getting stronger, more experienced and more
consistent, but we have to remember that Valentino has won a lot of
races. We have to respect that and keep it in mind."
The 25-year-old missed
out on a podium place at Indianapolis last year when Spies passed him to
take third, but won the U.S. race in 2009 and has twice been third
himself.
"I really enjoy riding
the Indy track, and have good memories here from my podiums in 2008 and
2010 and my great win in 2009," Lorenzo said.
"Last year I really
struggled with grip in the race so I hope we can improve that this year.
I've had a nice break but also been training to make sure I'm fit for
this weekend!"
Honda's Stoner and
Pedrosa have won the last two Indianapolis races, and both are seeking
to cut Lorenzo's lead following MotoGP's midseason break.
"In these two weeks I was able to relax a little, enjoy time with friends and get back into my training," Pedrosa said.
"At this time of year,
Indianapolis is normally very hot so fitness is always key. I enjoy
riding at this track and I've had good results in the past. I am really
looking forward to this race and will fight to win and maintain the
consistency we have showed in the first part of the championship."
Stoner is 32 points
adrift of Lorenzo in third place despite winning four races this season,
which will be his last as he plans to retire after the final race in
Valencia at the relatively young age of 27.
"I'm not the biggest fan
of Indy, mainly because we don't go on the historical track but the
infield and in the wrong direction," said Australia's two-time world
champion.
"The track is very flat
and plain, also very tight. There are a couple of corners that can be
fun but the majority are difficult, tight and there isn't any natural
flow to the track."
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