MAJORCA welcomed its latest World Champion back home yesterday when this year's MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo, stepped off an Air Europa plane named Lorenzo's Land in his honour at Palma airport yesterday evening.
The Palma-born motorcyclist who sealed this year's title on October 10 with a third place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix behind Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso, has yet to complete the season, just like his fellow islander, the World number one tennis player Rafael Nadal who still has a few tournaments to play before the end of the 2010 tour.
Lorenzo has the Portuguese GP next and then, what will be the crowning glory to his season, the final race of year in front of a home crowd in Valencia.
On landing at Palma airport at 6pm, a special presentation was held by sponsor Air Europa, in his honour while thousands of motorcycle and Jorge Lorenzo fans gathered outside to cheer Majorca's newest global sporting hero.
At 7pm, Lorenzo, escorted by the island's motorcyclists left the airport on a giant lap of honour through Palma via the Avenidas, down the Paseo Mallorca, Jaime III and along the Borne towards the Balearic government headquarters at the Consolat de Mar where he was greeted by the President of the Balearics, Francesc Antich. Inside an official reception, attended by a host of local dignitaries, was held and Lorenzo was presented with special plaques in honour of his achievement by Antich, the Balearic Parliamentary Speaker, Aina Rado, the President of the Council of Majorca, Francina Armengol and the Palma City Councillor for Sports, Maribel Gonzalez.
Then, just after 8.30pm, he appeared on the balcony of the Consolat de Mar to greet and thank all his fans before giving a press conference. With two races left this season, 23-year-old Lorenzo has enjoyed seven victories and top-four finishes in all the 16 races to date.
It's an incredible feeling but one that is difficult to comprehend really, the Yamaha rider told reporters. When you imagine what it would be like to be world champion it never quite matches the feeling of actually achieving it.
Lorenzo said he felt a lucky man.
In my racing career I haven't really suffered much bad luck, always had good things happen, he said.
I've had good bikes and good people to give the best chance of winning.
It is something I really appreciate.
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