Jorge Lorenzo says Motegi is critical
Last Updated: October 14, 2012 7:06am
Jorge Lorenzo believes Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix will go a long way to deciding who wins the MotoGP world title.
With four races left in the season, the Yamaha star has a 33-point lead over Dan Pedrosa, whose Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner returns from injury this weekend.
A demanding 'flyaway' triple-header starts at Motegi on Sunday - with the Malaysian and Australian Grands Prix also taking place in October - before the season concludes in Valencia on November 11.
Lorenzo told motogp.com: "These three races are going to be really important for the championship and for the points, and our goal is to keep in the same line as the whole championship.
"We're always trying to fight for pole positions, and for podiums and victories. That is my goal, and if it is possible to win the races I am going to try, and if not then podiums will be okay in the last four races."
Lorenzo is refusing to use Stoner's return from a broken ankle as an excuse should he fail to win in Japan.
"That is something that you cannot control. If Casey is fast enough he can win, and can take points off both Dani and me," he said.
"One thing we can control is our performance and this is what we will try to control over these races.
"Normally here for Yamaha it is not so simple because we have some difficulties in acceleration, but we have good braking and corner entry, which are our strong points."
