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18 Races: Jorge Lorenzo's Championship MotoGP Season Snapshots

A Photo Gallery of 2015 MotoGP Championship Moments

November 14, 2015

In the post-Valencia press conference, new FIM MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo met the flashing cameras and waving microphones of news crews and moto-journos in his race leathers, still damp with sweat from the race and champagne from the podium festivities after winning the grand finale. It's easy to count the seven victories that contributed to a championship-winning season, but what about the rest of the races, 18 in all? The gallery above provides a race-by-race recap of Lorenzo's entire 2015 season and the results that led to the World Championship (CLICK HERE to see Lorenzo's Land: 2015 MotoGP World Championship at a Glance).

1. Losail International Circuit, Fourth
Jorge Lorenzo started quickly in Qatar, flying from sixth on the grid to the lead. Swept up in a battle with Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Iannone, and Valentino Rossi, he was eventually forced to let his rivals and teammate go due to a problem with his helmet.©Motorcyclist

2. Circuit of The Americas, Fourth
After improving his best lap at COTA by more than 0.7 seconds, Lorenzo made a perfect launch off the line but got caught up in a group of riders and fell back to sixth before making a mid-race charge. He continued his push to the front and claimed fourth.©Motorcyclist

3. Termas de Rio Honda, Fifth
Lorenzo was quick to attack from the start, taking third at the first corner then dealing with Aleix Espargarò for second and beginning the hunt for Marc Marquez. His charge was short-lived as the Majorcan struggled to make the harder-compound rear tire work.©Motorcyclist

4. Circuito de Jerez, First
Lorenzo turned 28 on Saturday and celebrated his birthday by taking his first victory of the season. The Majorcan got the holeshot, put the hammer down, and rode away from the pack, earning pole position, fastest lap, and the race win for the fifth time in his MotoGP career.©Motorcyclist

5. Le Mans, First
Lorenzo was strong from the beginning of the 28-lap sprint. With clear track in front of him, he rode a textbook race, leading from the first lap until the checkers. Lorenzo is the most successful rider at the French track with five victories (four in MotoGP and one in 250cc GP).©Motorcyclist

6. Mugello, First
Lorenzo took the lead as he crossed start/finish for the first time. Once at the front, he gradually built a gap, as he had at the previous two Grands Prix. The win marked Lorenzo's 88th premier-class podium, equaling Giacomo Agostini for fourth all-time.©Motorcyclist

7. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, First
After a strong launch from third, Lorenzo led Marquez but was unable to shake his compatriot. With 23 laps to go, Marquez made a mistake and crashed. Lorenzo then sped to his first fourth consecutive race win, matching Mike Hailwood with 37 500cc/MotoGP victories.©Motorcyclist

8. TT Circuit Assen, Third
Starting from eighth on the grid, Lorenzo flew off the line. He produced an incredible first lap and clawed his way to the frontrunners but was unable to join them. With no other riders with whom to spar, he managed the gap to fourth and claimed third, his fifth consecutive podium.©Motorcyclist

9. Sachsenring, Fourth
Lorenzo rocketed away the grid and surprised fans and competitors alike with his trademark "Por Fuera" (around the outside) overtaking move into the lead. Unable to hold off attacks from Marquez, and later Rossi and Pedrosa, he dropped to fourth, which he held at the line.©Motorcyclist

10. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Second
Lorenzo took the holeshot at the Brickyard as the field bunched up in the first corner. The Yamaha rider kept up the pace until three laps remained, when Marquez made his winning move. Lorenzo has stood on the podium at Indy more often than any other rider.©Motorcyclist

11. Automotodrom Brno, First
Lorenzo made a brilliant start at the flowing circuit, breaking away with Marquez close behind. The pair built a gap to third, but with 14 laps to go Lorenzo's pace proved too hot for his rival. He broke away, claiming his first victory at Brno for Yamaha since 2010.©Motorcyclist

12. Silverstone Circuit, Fourth
Lorenzo arrived at Silverstone leading the championship for the first time. When rain picked up after the warm-up lap, Race Direction delayed the start and reduced the race to 20 laps. Lorenzo made a strong start from second but lost valuable time when his visor fogged.©Motorcyclist

13. Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, DNF
When rain arrived, Lorenzo, Marquez, and Rossi pitted on lap seven, and Lorenzo rejoined in fifth. His wet tires shredding on the drying asphalt, Lorenzo came in again with eight laps to go and re-entered in fourth. Caught out by the difficult conditions in turn 15, he crashed.©Motorcyclist

14. Motorland Aragon, First
Lorenzo made a flying start from second to lead the field into turn one. The Yamaha rider showed his usual stunning pace on the opening lap, creating half a second advantage as field headed into the second lap. With his victory, Lorenzo earned a trophy of his own design.©Motorcyclist

15. Twin Ring Motegi, Third
Lorenzo made a good start from pole in the wet but his eventual lead didn't last. As the track dried, his front tire deteriorated and pace slowed. With six podiums, he is tied with Pedrosa as the second most successful rider at the Japanese circuit behind Rossi.©Motorcyclist

16. Phillip Island, Second
Lorenzo, Rossi, Andrea Iannone, and Marquez switched positions multiple times before Lorenzo managed to take the lead for a second time with 25 laps to go. Despite securing Yamaha's MotoGP Constructors' Championship, Lorenzo was forced to settle for second.©Motorcyclist

17. Sepang International Circuit, Second
One week later in Malaysia, Lorenzo delivered another brilliant performance. Despite starting from the second row in scorching heat, he brought his YZR-M1 home second and delivered the team's 10th double podium of the season. This result reduced the gap to Rossi to seven points.©Motorcyclist

18. Comunitat Valenciana – Ricardo Tormo, First
Lorenzo and Rossi raised their games to another level at the season finale. Lorenzo gave all to keep his pursuers at bay from start to finish to earn the 40th MotoGP victory of his career and secure the championship—his third in the class—ahead of Rossi by five points.©Motorcyclist