Jorge Lorenzo declares ‘we start a new title now’ as he ties Valentino Rossi for MotoGP points lead

PRIOR to the race, Jorge Lorenzo knew how pivotal the Czech Republic GP could be to swinging momentum his way in the 2015 MotoGP title chase.

Will Dale

2 min read

August 17, 2015 - 8:00PM

WHEN we come to the end of this thrilling 2015 MotoGP season, we may very well look back on the Czech Republic Grand Prix as the turning point in the world championship battle.

On race day morning, Jorge Lorenzo knew in the pit of his stomach just how important Brno could be in swinging momentum his way in the title chase.

He would start on pole position. On the other side of the front row was his evergreen teammate, championship leader Valentino Rossi. Between the blue Yamahas was the one man who could properly throw a spanner in the works, Marc Marquez.

When the lights went out, neither of his rivals saw Lorenzo for dust.

The Spaniard pulled out the favoured trick in his playbook: get in front, turn in relentlessly fast laps to break your opposition, and take the chequered flag first.

RACE REPORT: Jorge Lorenzo wins Czech Republic GP to take championship lead

RESULTS: Click here for the race results from the Czech Republic GP at Brno

VIDEO: Jack Miller clips a crashing rider as he tumbles across the track

It was a win that moved him into a tie for the points lead with Rossi, leaving the Yamaha riders back at square one with seven races remaining in the season.

“It was an important victory,” Lorenzo said afterwards. “I know that before the race, I have a little bit of pressure because I knew this was the occasion to win the race and recover more points than at Indy with Valentino.

“With Vale, we start now another championship together, like first race. We see what happens in the next races.”

Lorenzo celebrates his victory in the Czech Republic GP.

Remarkably, this is the first time Lorenzo has tasted the championship lead in over 36 months, a fact he relished as he sat between his rivals in the post-race press conference.

“For me it’s a great day,” he added.

The 2015 season has so far been a battle of tortoise and hare, although which rider would play which role has switched at various times throughout the season.

Rossi took the initiative as the year began at Qatar, defying Father Time to take out the first race of the season and move into the championship lead.

When his lead was at its peak, he led his teammate by 29 points.

Despite four consecutive wins early in the season, it has taken Lorenzo 11 races to regain an even footing. ‘The Doctor’ taught him a lesson that will serve as Lorenzo’s mantra for the balance of the season.

“Vale this year is reaching a level of consistency that is unbelievable,” Lorenzo said.

“That means that even winning five races, if I cannot stay on the podium it’s going to be difficult to fight with him.

“So from this moment to the last race at Valencia, my goal is to keep always on the podium, to win when I can and to finish second or third when is not possible.”

“Like this, I can fight in Valencia for the championship.”

Brimming with confidence, he paused before adding: “Or who knows ... maybe even before.”