Friday, 6th June 2008

Lorenzo taken to medical centre on a stretcher after a fast Friday afternoon fall.

Jorge Lorenzo and John Hopkins are the latest riders to suffer high-speed falls during Friday free practice at Catalunya.

Fiat Yamaha's star rookie, who sustained fractures to both ankles during a huge highside at Shanghai on May 2, lost control of his M1 through the penultimate right-hand turn after less than ten minutes of the afternoon session.

The Spaniard initially hit the ground hard on his back before sustaining further blows to his head, hands and feet as he tumbled awkwardly end-over-end through the gravel. Lorenzo remained conscious but was clearly in pain and has been taken to the circuit medical centre.

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Just five minutes after Lorenzo's fall, Hopkins suffered a big highside from his Kawasaki but was fortunately able to walk away.

The two afternoon falls follow on from high-speed accidents for Toni Elias and Randy de Puniet - who both lost control over a wet kerb in the morning session.

World champion Casey Stoner also fell in first free practice, after losing the front of his Desmosedici.

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