MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo to call on mental toughness in France

Jorge Lorenzo reckons he will need to call on his mental toughness to help him battle leg injuries that will leave him short of 100 per cent fitness for this weekend’s French MotoGP in Le Mans.

The Spaniard is still struggling with the fractured ankles he suffered in a massive practice crash at the last round in China, where he bravely defied the pain to claim a heroic fourth place.

Lorenzo heads to Le Mans this weekend trailing Spanish rival and series leader Dani Pedrosa by just seven-points, but he is expecting an equally tough weekend in France.

The Fiat Yamaha rider said: “I was lucky in China. If I’d have landed differently it could have ruled me out until the middle of the season and certainly prevented me from enjoying myself as much as I am in this early part of the season.

“In China I realised the risks in this sport; as riders we have to take a lot of risks and that Sunday in Shanghai, with my emotions and my feelings, I knew I had to go through it and take risks again because my team were depending on me in the box.

“I won’t be at 100 per cent for Le Mans but my mental condition should make me strong at one of my favourite circuits and I am really looking forward to the race just the same.

“I know my team will help me all that they can and hopefully I will be in good enough shape to challenge strongly, as I have at the first four races. China was unfortunate but now I have to move on.”