'Stronger than ever' Lorenzo chasing three in a row

Back-to-back victories at Mugello and Catalunya have taken reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo to within seven points of Dani Pedrosa and the 2013 title lead.

Feeling 'stronger than ever', Factory Yamaha star Lorenzo is determined to keep the heat on Honda riders Pedrosa and Marc Marquez during this weekend's Dutch TT.

"Well, I'm quite happy after winning at Mugello and also Montmel?, two important victories for both me and the team for the Championship. We were in a very good shape these last two races and I feel stronger than ever and really hungry to win," said Lorenzo.

"I think in the last two races we made a quite big step on the bike to get the consistency on race pace. Assen has been my favourite track ever. I love the circuit, historic, quick and very flowing, but also I love the landscape, the ambience and I have always liked the country.

"I am very motivated to go there and try to keep this line of winning, even more after our good test at Barcelona and Aragon, when we achieved some improvements for the future."

Assen 2012 was arguably the low point of Lorenzo's second title season. The Spaniard was taken out at turn one by Alvaro Bautista, destroying an engine in the process.

"I hope Assen is giving us a little bit more than last year, the race was very short!" admitted Dutch team manager Wilco Zeelenberg. "We have to forget that now; last season at Assen we learnt that you might also need a bit of luck during races.

"This year we have to keep smooth and calm and I think we can possibly win three in a row although it is not easy as we know. Jorge likes Assen a lot and of course he has a special feeling there.

"I have the same feeling with the crowd because it is my country. Hopefully we can close the gap with Dani there and see another top fight at the front."

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