'Crazy rider' Lorenzo smashes points' record
Jorge Lorenzo has said breaking the record for the highest number of points achieved in a single MotoGP season is proof that he has put his erstwhile reputation as a 'crazy rider who crashed too much' well behind him.
By winning the final round of his title-winning 2010 season at Valencia, Lorenzo surpassed Valentino Rossi's record of points scored over a single season with 383 - a tally that also put him a massive 138 points clear of second place man Dani Pedrosa.
While he was made to push hard for the actual win in Valencia, Lorenzo was delighted to conclude a dominant year in a fitting way on home soil.
"Coming here to Valencia I really wanted to win one more time in this fantastic season, in front of my home fans. In the practices I was fast all weekend, but it seemed like Casey was even faster.
"I made a good start today but in the second corner trying to pass Casey I got overtaken by three or four riders, then I had a hard fight with Simoncelli when I nearly fell! I kept calm after that and concentrated and then lap-by-lap I recovered. I had a wonderful fight with Casey at the end.
Claiming the title in only his third season of MotoGP racing, Lorenzo says the title win, not to mention the fact he finished off the podium just twice all season, is indicative of the progress he has made since he arrived.
Indeed, while Lorenzo's speed on the Yamaha was never in question, his headline-grabbing accidents did cause some to question is ultimate ability initially. It is a a doubt that has since been silenced by his 2010 campaign.
"Winning here in front of my home crowd at this special track is one of the happiest moments of my life. We are proud to have got the record for the most number of points with 383, I used to be known as a crazy rider who crashed too much so to demonstrate consistency in this way makes me proud.
"Thanks to Yamaha and everyone involved for a fantastic season - now we have time to celebrate tonight before we start working for 2011 on Tuesday. Finally I want to say goodbye and good luck to Valentino - I am looking forward to racing him next year!"
