Cricket is a funny but polite sport: Jorge Lorenzo

MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo tells DNA that 2010 season has been like a big dream and feels Valentino Rossi’s absence in some of the races helped him in a way.

It’s been a dream season for you. How would you sum it up?
Yes, it has been a big dream! I’ve been thinking of this moment all my life and now I am here… the World Champion.

The domination you have showed this season with a podium in almost every race is an unbelievable feat, how did you do that?
I’ve done 12 podiums in a row, it’s amazing! The entire team here has worked really hard. The bike has been fantastic above all. Not
to forget that one always needs luck too.

Many say that Valentino Rossi’s mid-season crash made the championship race easy for you. Do you agree?
Well, with him around, it is never easy to win races. Some of the races became easy. But I was winning even when he was there. So, I don’t think the credit altogether goes to his absence. I am not even thinking about it!

You kept beating Valentino throughout the season. Do you think that played a part in his move to Ducati?
Well, this is not my problem! My focus is on thinking about my race and my future. I always believe in doing the best for my team and myself.

You have raced with and against Valentino. What does he do differently while racing for the kind of domination he has showed these years?
There is little doubt about the fact that he is one of the greatest bikers of all time. He has a lot of experience. With him a race is always incredible. There is always a big battle on hand like he had last season in Barcelona. He has been a winner and he does his best to be one.

Spain has had a brilliant sporting year. The World Cup, Rafael Nadal became world No.1, Contador winning the Tour De France and now you winning the championship. How do you cap it?
Gasol is in Los Angeles Lakers, Alonso is close to a win with Ferrari. This is probably the best sporting era in our history. The people of Spain should enjoy this moment because before all this, we have never been so consistent.

Did you get a chance to meet the football world cuppers? Do you have friends from other sports?
I know (Carles) Puyol and (Andres) Iniesta very well. We shared the same manager last year. They are good guys. I know other football players as Eto’o, some tennis players, Alonso…

You were born in Mallorca, the same region where Rafael Nadal was born, are you friends with him?
I know him, but we never are at the same place at the same time. He is flying around the world all time and he lives in Mallorca. I’ve done the same, but have been living in Barcelona since 2008.

You played cricket before the race at Silverstone track, how did you find the game? Do you follow it?
No, this was the first time I played the game. It looked like a game from a different world. Spain is another world, we don’t understand it at all. But it looks funny, interesting and a polite sport. I’ve seen baseball matches, but I’ve not played it. In Spain, there is a slight inclination because many people from Asian countries play it on the squares.

If not a bike rider, what would you have been?
Maybe a painter or an actor. But I am not sure. Being a rider is the best thing I could have done in my life.

What are your hobbies outside the racetrack?
Internet surfing, read books, go to the beach, go out with my friends, play Xbox 360…

You are also known for your female fan base.
I am a lucky man and I have a lot of fans from Asia. I am very proud and I hope it will grow in the coming years.