MotoGP: Lorenzo looks to take down Marquez in Australia

Having witnessed the MotoGP winning streak of Marc Marquez snapped, defending Australian Grand Prix champion Jorge Lorenzo is eyeing this year's race at Phillip Island as a chance to further penetrate his fellow Spaniard's domination.

Marquez claimed victory in all 10 races before the Czech GP earlier this month, when his spree was halted by teammate Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo won perhaps the most chaotic race in MotoGP history in Australia last year and remains philosophical about his chances.But he says he will go into the October 19 race with the confidence of being defending champion.

Before last season's dramatic event, Lorenzo had only won in the smaller 250cc series and could not beat the now-retired Australian Casey Stoner.

"I won there in 2007 in my last year in 250 and it was probably my best race in 250 because I won by 20 seconds to the second rider, which was the biggest difference I got in 250 in my two years in Aprilia," Lorenzo said.

"But I never won in MotoGP because Casey was so fast and so talented there, sliding around and so quick and so constant that we couldn't beat him.

"We had a very strong rival like Marc (last year) but he was disqualified when he entered the pits one lap too late. So then it was a little bit more easy to fight with Dani (Pedrosa) because he was two or three seconds behind me. So finally I got my first victory in MotoGP in Phillip Island, and I was very happy and very glad."

Conditions at Phillip Island meant the race was split into two parts which confused some riders who were experiencing tyre issues and had to pit midway through to switch rubber.

The 2010 and 2012 champion said the decision to have a two-part race was "crazy" but in the end the best option.

However, after pre-season testing at Phillip Island this year, the Spaniard has not ruled out more drama in October.

"Obviously the standard tyre from last year, it's impossible to use it for this year," Lorenzo said.

"Maybe the tarmac will be a little bit older, so it will destroy a little bit less the tyres.

"The tyres we tested were a little bit stronger but maybe a little bit too hard, but when it (the grip) drops down, it was not the perfect feeling like in other tracks, so maybe the Phillip Island tarmac at this moment is very abrasive."

-AAP