Having finished second on his
MotoGP debut at Qatar, the predicted 130,000 plus fans due to descend on
Jerez on Sunday will expect nothing less than a victory attack from the 20-year-old - although local loyalties will be split between Lorenzo and arch-rival
Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa, starting his third year in the premier-class and also chasing his first Jerez MotoGP victory, qualified second on the grid - setting the scene for a dramatic home showdown, although few expect a mere two-rider victory fight.
Lorenzo remains (outwardly) cautious, acknowledging that his rivals - likely to include not only Pedrosa, but also third-on-the-grid
Colin Edwards and his own Fiat Yamaha team-mate
Valentino Rossi (fifth) - are 'very strong'.
Qatar winner and reigning world champion
Casey Stoner could also play a leading role, despite struggling to seventh in qualifying, while former world champion
Nicky Hayden has the potential to shine from fourth.
"The pole position and the second place in Qatar were like a dream, so it's an amazing surprise for me to repeat that pole position here, and even better because it's in front of my home fans!" began Jorge, the youngest rider on the MotoGP grid.
"I was really happy with the last qualifying lap, my earlier ones were already quite good but not perfect, so I was really excited to make such a great final lap. Our race pace is good as well and I am feeling very comfortable on the bike and with my Michelin tyres.
"My rivals are very strong and will be trying hard to beat me, but I will definitely be fighting for the podium! Thanks to my team for doing a great job; I am really excited about tomorrow and I hope we have more weather like this and a fantastic show," he concluded.
"We watched today's qualifying with great emotion as Jorge demonstrated an excellent race pace and then beat the pole record in fantastic style on his qualifying laps. We were amazed!" declared team manager Daniele Romagnoli. "After today's result it's clear that we have the possibility to be on the podium tomorrow, and we will try our best to be there."
