Healing Lorenzo 'will push even harder than in Holland'

"I made a huge effort to race at Assen, getting an astonishing fifth position. The situation is still that I need more time to fix the injury though" - Jorge Lorenzo.

Peter McLaren

10 Jul 2013

Lorenzo, MotoGP Race, Dutch MotoGP 2013
© Gold and Goose

Having delivered a heroic ride to fifth at Assen, less than two days after surgery on a broken collarbone, MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo faces another tough challenge this weekend in Germany.

Whilst the ten days since Assen have allowed his left shoulder some much needed healing time, it is nowhere near enough to reach full fitness and the anti-clockwise Sachsenring's continual twists and turns are sure to torment the injury.

The Factory Yamaha star, who has never won at the Sachsenring in any grand prix class, arrives at round eight just nine points behind Dani Pedrosa and the title lead - having surrendered just two points to the Honda rider at Assen.

"Sachsenring is going to be a little tough for me after the crash at Assen," said Lorenzo. "It is true in Holland we achieved a stunning result for me, the team and also the Championship but I have to be realistic and I have still a long way to recover my collarbone.

"I made a huge effort to race at Assen and finally I could manage a really difficult weekend getting an astonishing fifth position. The situation is still that I need more time to fix the injury though. I won't be at 100% in Germany but I'm pretty confident I can make a good weekend.

"At least I have had almost ten days to stay calm and improve a bit my physical condition. It will be difficult to compete another time but for sure I will push even harder than in Holland. The track is not one of my favourite tracks in the championship but at this level I don't mind where we race. I have to give everything inside of me on each race."

Team director Wilco Zeelenberg hopes the lower speeds of the Sachsenring will help Lorenzo's cause.

"Jorge made an incredible race at Assen, one of the most demanding tracks because of the layout. In Germany maybe it could be a little better for us," said the Dutchman. "This circuit is not as fast as Assen and I think it is going to be easier for him to ride; it's smoother with slow corners.

"The only problem is Jorge's collarbone: it is still mending and he won't be in a perfect shape. Anyway, for sure his physical condition will be better than in Holland and I guess he will be aiming to fight for the podium."

Pedrosa has won the German MotoGP for the past three seasons.