Jorge Lorenzo’s ‘inevitable’ debut MotoGP victory has come at only his third attempt, after the reigning 250cc world champion fought past arch-rival Dani Pedrosa and team-mate Valentino Rossi during Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix. Having qualified on pole for a perfect third time in a row, Lorenzo lined up on the front of the Estoril grid with sporadic rain drops falling - adding further drama to the proceedings - before fellow front row starters Pedrosa and Rossi stormed ahead of him into turn one. Rossi wasted no time in shuffling ahead of the world championship leader, with Lorenzo also taking advantage - then passing the fellow Fiat Yamaha of Rossi to take the lead by the end of lap one.

Lorenzo felice per la prima vittoria in MotoGP: “Ringrazio il team. Rossi? Dovevo passarlo in quel momento”. Pedrosa: “Complimenti a lui”. Valentino: “Risultato giusto ma la mia moto è veloce, ho fiducia per le prossime gare”.