Victorious Lorenzo grateful to Yamaha

The Spaniard, who stepped up to MotoGP with Fiat Yamaha this year as a double 250cc champion, qualified on pole for his first three MotoGP starts and achieved his maiden win in Portugal today.

"First of all I want to thank Yamaha for their confidence in me, and to all my sponsors, because without them I wouldn't be here," said the delighted 20-year-old.

Yamaha's racing boss Lin Jarvis said the team felt fully justified in their decision to commit to Lorenzo during the early part of 2007.

"It was an early decision which we took more than a year ago," Jarvis told the BBC.

"But you've seen the start of his year has been phenomenal: he's got three pole positions and a win, and he's leading the championship at the moment, which is pretty astonishing for a rookie."

Lorenzo said he was so delighted by his victory that he had little memory of the race itself.

"It's fantastic, it's a sensation that I can't describe," he said.

"The start was a little bit crazy because of the rain, there was a bit of water (on the track). Then I don't remember it."

He took the lead with a determined move on teammate Valentino Rossi at the chicane just before half-distance.

"There was some risk, but it was time to pass him because I thought I could get away and I had to get him," said Lorenzo.