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Lorenzo says overhauling Rossi now “realistic”

Jorge Lorenzo believes a third MotoGP title is now within reach after closing to within 14 points of Valentino Rossi following his Aragon Grand Prix victory.

Winner Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Winner Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Yamaha MotoGP

Winner Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team and Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing and Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team
Winner Jorge Lorenzo and third place Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing celebrate clinching the teams championship
Third place Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Winner Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing and Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Second place qualifier Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing

The Yamaha rider reduced the points deficit to teammate Valentino Rossi from 23 to 14, with the Italian only finishing third after losing out in an intense duel with Honda’s Dani Pedrosa.

Lorenzo admitted that he was “lucky” not only that poleman Marc Marquez crashed early on, clearing the way for a straightforward win, but also that Pedrosa could deny Rossi the points for second place.

“Before the race I was expecting to take four points from Valentino, maybe seven, because I wasn’t certain of victory with Marc so fast all weekend,” confessed Lorenzo.

“Also, I have to thank Dani, because these four points are very important for the championship.

“Recovering nine points is important – now I just need to be first or second in the last four races, which I think is realistic.”

MotoGP points with four rounds remaining:

Pos. Rider Bike Points
1  Valentino Rossi Yamaha 263 (4 wins)
2  Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 249 (6 wins)
3  Marc Marquez Honda 184 (4 wins)
4  Andrea Iannone Ducati 172
5  Bradley Smith Yamaha 143

Lorenzo added that, had he lost more ground to Rossi as he did in mixed conditions at Silverstone and Misano, it would have been “impossible” to close the gap in the remaining four races.

“It was a really important race, because I feel that if I had lost even more points [to Valentino], it would be impossible to win the world title.

“I will try to recover more points in the next races, but it will be very difficult because Marc is always strong in Japan and Valentino, as he demonstrated today, never gives up in the races.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we have the potential.”

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