The Spaniard is expected to take a month to recover after fracturing his metacarpal
Jorge Lorenzo's preparations for the 2010
MotoGP season have been dealt a blow after it was confirmed he will be forced to skip the next test in Sepang with an injured hand.
The Spaniard was motocross training near Barcelona when he suffered a fall at a slow corner whilst doing 30km/h. Despite the low speed, Lorenzo fell awkwardly on his right hand and was taken to hospital.
Once there, he was diagnosed with a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal and a displaced thumb. Augusto J. Casanovas made an open reduction and osteosynthesis with a small titanium plate, and Lorenzo will require hand protection for four to six weeks.
Although Lorenzo has now left hospital, the proximity of the next
MotoGP test, to be held in Malaysia in two weeks time, means he will be forced to sit on the sidelines.
While he is scheduled to be back on the Fiat Yamaha in time for the Qatar test in March, the limited amount of mileage permitted pre-season is now destined to leave Lorenzo on the back foot compared to team-mate
Valentino Rossi and arch-rivals
Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.
Lorenzo finished runner-up to Rossi in the 2009
MotoGP standings.
