Damage to both ankles during the Spaniard's huge Friday practice highside will take months to fully heal, but with seven races in the next ten weeks Lorenzo - who has been confined to a wheelchair ever since his return from China - will be forced to brave the pain, and risk further injury, time and time again if he is to keep his title hopes alive.
Lorenzo had taken three poles and three podiums from his first three events leading up to Shanghai - including one victory and the joint world championship lead - and has already proved he can overcome his injuries by qualifying and finishing fourth in China.
The 21-year-old now hopes to continue his strong start to the season at Le Mans this weekend.
"I was lucky in China!" reflected Jorge. "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% 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," concluded Jorge, who won last year's 250cc French Grand Prix from pole one year ago.
"Obviously Jorge is a little more injured than we first realised in China and the broken astragalus in his right ankle is a problem but we're hopeful he can be fit enough to fight again in France," added team manager Daniele Romagnoli. "At the moment there is not much we can do but wait for the most recent updates from Doctor Mir and see how he feels when he gets on the bike on Friday.
