US MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo vows to race at Laguna Seca

Battered and bruised Jorge Lorenzo insists he will attempt to compete in the American MotoGP race, despite two spectacular crashes in less than 20 minutes during qualifying at Laguna Seca.
The Spaniard suffered a partially dislocated right shoulder and a broken toe and severe bruising to his right foot in the second crash – a massive high-side at the fast Turn 10.
Just three minutes of qualifying remained when the 22-year-old lost control of his Fiat Yamaha YZR-M1 as he looked to improve on his best time of 1.21.678.
That time had already put him top of the timesheets and did secure his fourth pole position of 2009, but crucially he’d slowed earlier on the lap he crashed because of heavy traffic.
That significantly reduced temperature in the right side of his Bridgestone rear tyre and as Lorenzo tipped into Turn 10, he suddenly lost the rear despite being off throttle.
Just 16 minutes earlier, Lorenzo lost the front at exactly the corner but he’d escaped injury.
He was less fortunate the second time around, with Lorenzo needed lengthy medical treatment.
But the double world 250 champion has vowed to start the 32-lap race which he starts trailing factory Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi by five-points.
Lorenzo, who needed to be carried on and off stage to talk at the qualifying press conference, said: “I’m quite disappointed because I was riding so quick in this track and I was very comfortable. But I found (Toni) Elias on my lap and some other riders wanted to follow the fast guys, so I decided to slow down and the rear tyre wasn’t hot enough to make the turn and I crashed again. I made a mistake with my decision in this corner and I crashed. I’m very disappointed because it is a bad thing for me. Not everybody crashed so I think it is my problem. In this track the right side of the Bridgestone, you need more laps to heat it and it was a little bit dangerous.”
Would he risk racing is way below 100 per cent fitness?
“For sure I will try, “he added. “In the warm-up I will see what happens. The foot is very bad and I have a lot of pain but my big worry is the collarbone to be able to change direction. I am optimistic that I will be able to ride tomorrow.”