MotoGP reconvenes at Jerez

The MotoGP paddock reconvenes in southern Spain for the third round of the 2009 world championship at Jerez, just a week on from their second outing of the year. The first European round, and one of the most well-attended events on the calendar, the riders have points to win and points to prove.

Like last year, Spanish fans have a local leader of the overall classification to cheer on when May 3 comes around, in the form of Jorge Lorenzo. Courtesy of a perfect podium record from the opening two races, the Fiat Yamaha rider arrives with a 1pt advantage over teammate Valentino Rossi and a victory already on the board from the previous round in Japan.

Lorenzo took pole and placed third on his home debut at Jerez last year, and won twice at the track during his time in the 250cc class. As if further motivation was needed, the Spaniard also turns 21 the day after the race.

Second in the standings, reigning world champion Rossi, has won five times in the premier class at Jerez and enjoys a level of popularity with the Spanish fans that rivals any of their local favourites.

The Italian has never gone more than three races into a season without picking up a victory, and with two gone already his hunger for glory will be reaching breaking point. In previous years Rossi's celebrations after winning in Jerez have been legendary, but will the 30-year-old provide another memorable moment this Sunday?

"We've made a good start to the season with two podiums which shows we are consistent, but now we need to make the step up," said Rossi. "Motegi was a good race but we had one or two problems, which we need to fix. We have a lot of data from Jerez because we tested there twice in the winter so I hope that this will help us to find a good setting straight away.

"I also hope that the weather is good because we've had two difficult races for this and I have had enough of the rain now! As a rule we are very strong at the track and it is always great fun riding there.

"I love Jerez, it's always a brilliant atmosphere and the fans make a big, big party for three days; I hope I can be part of the party this time! The championship is becoming very interesting now so let's hope for an exciting race this weekend."

Just 3pts down on series leader Lorenzo, Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner has not had the best of times at Jerez on race weekends. He has yet to place on the podium in seven visits to the track in various classes, but will draw positives from an amazing performance at the recent official test held at the track.

The Australian was untouchable in a timed session to win a BMW sports car, stating his case for a challenge to those more successful at the circuit in previous years than himself.

“I’ve never really done well at Jerez, but in the winter test we worked well and set some quick times so we’ll try to use that as the base for a positive weekend," said Stoner. "You need good handling at this track and a bike that allows you to get into the corner quickly and then onto the gas straight away, as well as having good stability.

“I think we’ve taken a step forward in this area with the GP9 and as long as we don’t get bad weather or some other kind of setback then we should find a good set-up for Jerez. Some of our better tracks are coming up later in the season but if we stay focused and keep working as we are doing then we can still put some decent results on the board. The start of the season has been better for us this year than it was last year so we have to try and keep our standards up.”

After taking fifth at both Qatar and Japan, Andrea Dovizioso is currently fourth in the table, chasing his opening podium of 2009. Such an honour has already gone to Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, who is just 1pt off 'Dovi's total of 22 after claiming third in Japan.

Alongside Lorenzo and Pedrosa, Toni Elías and the returning Sete Gibernau contest their home race this weekend. Gibernau has not ridden at the track in a competitive environment since 2006, when he took second on the grid onboard the 990cc Ducati Desmosedici in his first race with the bike.

Australian Chris Vermeulen will also be looking to get his Rizla Suzuki into the top five after a steady, if unspectacular, start to the season.

"I'm really looking forward to this weekend in Jerez, it's a great circuit and has an iconic feel to it - I've certainly watched many of my heroes race around there," said Vermeulen. "We had a very good pre-season test there and I am looking forward to getting back on track and making the most of what we discovered there last month, in terms of set-up and tyre performance - especially as the track had just been re-surfaced.

"I hope that I can qualify on at least the front two rows and then I'll be able to challenge at the front right from the start and try to get on the podium!"