Lorenzo says no title pressure for 2009

Jorge Lorenzo says there is no pressure on him to fight for the championship in 2009 following his sensational debut season in MotoGP.

The Spanish rider, a two-time 250cc champion, finished in fourth place in this year's championship, winning a race and scoring six podium finishes and four pole positions.

Despite his showing in only his first year in the category, however, the Yamaha rider says the goal for 2009 would be to just improve on his rookie season.

"There have been no objectives set out, and nobody is demanding that we win the title," he told the official MotoGP website.

"I think that if I can improve my results then it will be an extraordinary season."

The Spaniard admitted there is still work to do on the new Yamaha, having tested it for just one day following the end of the season at Valencia.

"I have only had the chance to try the new bike for a day, with the intention of adjusting to the new regulations," he added.

"The bike isn't working perfectly, so in Jerez we will be working above all with the chassis, now that we won't have the engine until Sepang."