Surgery for MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo

Factory Yamaha MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo has undergone surgery to remove a metal plate and eleven screws inserted to hold his fractured collarbone in place earlier this year.

Lorenzo underwent surgery on his left shoulder twice this season. After sustaining a "displaced, complex fracture" of the collarbone in a 200kph practice accident at Assen - requiring a plate and eight screws - Lorenzo sensationally flew back from Spain to finish fifth in the Dutch race!

But just when the worst seemed to be over, the defending world champion suffered another massive fall in practice for the following German round (pictured) - bending the newly inserted titanium plate and re-damaging the bone.

That forced a second operation which required a new plate and 11 screws, plus "some bone substance from the pelvis".

Removal of this plate - and screws - means the collarbone injury can heal more naturally, with the aim of putting Lorenzo in the best possible shape for 2014. The next time Lorenzo rides a MotoGP bike will be at the first official pre-season test at Sepang in February.

According to the official MotoGP website, Lorenzo also had a small surgical procedure performed on his right thumb, following an injury sustained in 2010.