Already riding with two fractured ankles, the last thing
Jorge Lorenzo needs is another fall from his Fiat Yamaha - but the Spaniard emerged without further damage after doing just that at the end of Friday's second free practice session at Le Mans.
The injuries Lorenzo sustained in China have not yet had time to fully recover but the 21-year-old was straight down to business this morning, recording the second fastest lap time after only his first hour on an M1 at the French Grand Prix circuit.
The Estoril winner was able to improve on his time from the morning by 0.3secs on his way to fourth place during the second session, which ended with the Fiat Yamaha rider sliding out at turn two.
Luckily, Lorenzo avoided further injury and, having finished day one just 0.260secs from world championship leader
Dani Pedrosa, is aiming to right for his fourth pole in five attempts on Saturday - providing the dry weather continues.
"Unfortunately this afternoon Jorge crashed in turn two, when he was at the maximum lean angle and he lost the front and the rear," explained team manager Daniele Romagnoli. "After China it was a fright for everyone but he got up quickly and luckily he is okay, as is the bike!"
"The first thing I did when I crashed this afternoon was to stand up in order to check that I hadn't done any more damage!" admitted Jorge. "Luckily it's okay and I don't think I have made anything worse and at the moment I don't need to have any injections, which is better for me.
"The pain in my ankles is not so bad and to ride is okay, the main problem is that I am lacking the confidence that I know I should have, but I just need to keep thinking positively and I am sure that this will come soon.
"We need to work on the electronics a bit and also the suspension, and then I think we can make another step, but anyway we've made a good start today overall. If it stays dry then I think I will have the possibility to fight for the pole position, but if it's wet it will be a different story so we are hoping for good weather!" he concluded.
