Jones: Januzaj can be a star
Monday, 21 October 2013
Sunday’s win at Phillip Island marked the 50th time Jorge Lorenzo had celebrated a race victory in the MotoGP™ World Championship. His first had come in Rio a decade earlier, as he clinched a maiden success in the 125 class.
The Australian win was one of Lorenzo’s most dramatic so far, dealing perfectly with the added challenge of compulsory bike changes and light rain. This marked his 29th win in the premier class and third at Phillip Island following those of the 250 class in 2006 and 2007, as well as his half-century across all categories.
"It is incredible to have achieved 50 Grand Prix victories at 26 years of age," commented the reigning World Champion. "It only seems like yesterday when I won in Brazil in 2003, but it has been ten years. I am very proud of this and I hope to win a few more in the future!"
The two-time MotoGP™ title winner certainly has reason to be proud, as only six others riders in the history of the World Championship (which dates back to 1949) have achieved more wins than his 50: Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Angel Nieto, Mike Hailwood, Mick Doohan and Phil Read. However, only Rossi and Hailwood had more victories than Lorenzo by the time they were 26.
Two-time title winner Casey Stoner, who retired at the end of 2012, achieved 45 victories across his World Championship career and of the other current riders only Dani Pedrosa nears Lorenzo’s win tally, with 48 victories to his name.
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