MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo in Le Mans fitness fight

Rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo is facing a desperate fight to be fit for the French MotoGP in Le Mans after further medical checks revealed the full extent of injuries he suffered in a massive high-side crash in Shanghai last weekend.

The Fiat Yamaha rider flew back to Barcelona from the Far East for a consultation with Dr Xavier Mir at the Dexeus Institue on Monday morning for further examination just hours after his heroic fourth place in China.

Dr Mir, who had only just completed a successful operation to cure arm pump in Lorenzo’s right arm, diagnosed more damage than was originally anticipated.

Lorenzo, who suffered a huge high-side in the first free practice session in Shanghai lat Friday, was initially diagnosed with a fractured left ankle and severe trauma to his right leg.

Further checks by Dr Mir though have confirmed that Jorge Lorenzo has also a badly damaged his right ankle, which the Spaniard had raised fears about after his superb ride to fourth place on Sunday.

A 3D CAT scan of both ankles revealed the following further injuries:
Fracture of the Astragalus in the right ankle (no displacement) Torn lateral internal ligament in the left ankle.

Lorenzo now has a solid cast on his right ankle and an elastic support for his left, temporarily confining him to a wheelchair.

“Next Monday we will carry out more tests and make a detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered to both ankles,” commented Doctor Mir.

Lorenzo remains confident he will be fit for the Le Mans race on May 18, 2008 as he goes into round five trailing Spanish rival Dani Pedrosa by only seven-points.