Jorge Lorenzo is fairly relaxed as round seven of the 2010 MotoGP World Championship arrives this weekend, with the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya ending a tough session of three back to back events.

The hectic time line has not appeared to taken a hefty toll on the 23 year old Fiat Yamaha competitor as he heads the Championship rankings by 47 points after being victorious in the last two races.

Now approaching a home event, the Spaniard is aware of his strengthening position, and the pressure is on his opponents to gain  momentum. “We’re 47 points ahead of second place in the Championship, so this means we can finish second or third, but the others must win all the races from now until the end of the Championship. Of course we will try to win but if not we will try to finish the race,” explains Lorenzo.

“In theory Pedrosa is the favourite apart from us as he is second in the Championship, so together with Stoner he is the most dangerous. But every race is different so we will see what happens.”

Last season's race gave spectators a much contested battle, as Lorenzo and colleague Valentino Rossi (who is still injured), challenged for victory to the end. The Italian won the race, however Lorenzo is focussed to produce a strong challenge in The Doctor’s absence.

“Last year I had the chance to win but Valentino was cleverer than me in the last corner, he overtook me at the very end and I finished second,” he states. “This year without him there is one less rider, but the other riders and the other factories are very competitive so to win we will have to fight from the beginning until the last lap of the race.”

Lorenzo is thrilled with his stage appearance on his home track this year, however he will be very keen to win amongst his home crowd on a circuit he has yet to win at in the premier class.

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Marco Melandri’s focus to forget about the last two events will see the Italian try and race through the pain this weekend, as he prepares for the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya while still healing from a dislocated shoulder incurred only a week ago.

A highside smash in the second practice last Friday at Assen ended in much discomfort and agony for Melandri as he dislocated his left shoulder, missing the event. Having crashed in the prior round at Silverstone, the 27 year old will not be laid down for the upcoming seventh round at Catalunya, he has undertaken major physiotherapy to ensure he can compete.

"I’m going to Barcelona with the clear objective of putting the disappointments of Silverstone and Assen behind me,” says Melandri. “I will obviously have to wait and see how I feel on the bike after such a big crash in Holland but my determination to race again is huge.”

“I have had a lot of treatment on the shoulder since Saturday and even though I still won’t be at peak physical fitness I am determined to get back out on track. I really want to build on the progress we made in practice at Assen, where we confirmed our recent progress with the set-up of the bike.”

Doctor Giuseppe Porcellini made another assessment on Meladri recently and stated he will need further checks on the ligaments around his collarbone and shoulder. These tests will occur after Barcelona this weekend, therefore Melandri has been cleared to ride.

“I hope I am fit and able to continue the recent good work we’ve been doing so that we can have more to be pleased with by the end of the weekend,” adds Melandri.

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Colin Edwards and his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team were intensely working over the TIM TT Assen to make improvements to his front end feeling on his M1 bike following his dissatisfaction at Silverstone, the American was more pleased with the response of his bike at the Dutch track after positioning in eighth place.

Issues are still imminent for Edwards and his squad, however the 36 year gained encouragement from the progress incurred after assessment.

“It was a tough race and we haven’t quite got it sorted yet. We tried some different front-end settings this weekend to try and get a little more feel. I think it’s getting better but I found it difficult to release the brake, that’s the main thing. I feel like I’m having to hold the brake, keep the front load and get it turned. We got lots of information and we go to Barcelona and see if we can improve it and make it better,” explains Edwards.

“I can’t be upset, I left everything out there and rode as hard as I could. It’s different when you know you’re not riding well or didn’t put in all the effort… I’m riding as hard as I can but it’s just not happening at the moment.”

The events continue to arrive at a fast pace with the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya to be held right after Assen, Edwards is looking forward to racing at a circuit where he finished fourth last season.

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