(MotoGP Release)
The extent of the injuries incurred by Jorge Lorenzo in the opening MotoGP
session has been assessed, after the Spaniard was subjected to an x-ray and
examination at the Huashan hospital in Shanghai. A chipped bone in his left
ankle and pain in that of his right side are the consequences of a huge
high-side onboard his Fiat Yamaha M1. His upper body braced as he took the
impact on his forearms, Lorenzo's injuries have been limited to his lower
body. Whilst he did not ride in the afternoon session, it is possible that he
will return to action on Saturday morning. With Clinica Mobile Doctor Claudio
Macchiagodena surprisingly citing the fracture-less right ankle as the biggest
impediment to Lorenzo's participation. `The big problem I think is the right ankle, where there isn't any
fracture, because at this moment the rider is suffering a lot of pain, and I'm
not sure if he can be ready in time for the qualifying session,´ said the
Italian expert upon his patient's return to the Shanghai paddock. `He has a little fracture in the left ankle, and I think we can overcome
this problem because the riders are used to riding with physical injuries like
this one. He's quiet at the moment, and not angry about what has happened.´ Macchiagodena is being pragmatic in his advice to the Fiat Yamaha rider as
to whether he should attempt to ride on Saturday morning. `We have not planned any type of infiltration, in this case it is better to
apply ice and massages. Tomorrow morning we are going to take a decision. If
the pain is decreased, we could help him to ride, if it is to the contrary
then I think it's better to wait. The rider has the last word.´ Lorenzo's Team Manager Daniele Romagnoli expressed his thoughts on the
incident, which he put down to self-belief rather than any technical problem. `Let's just say that it was a little bit too much confidence going into
turn two; he lost the grip and highsided it,´ said Romagnoli. `We'll just have
to wait and hope that Jorge will be able to ride tomorrow.´