French MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo lucky but confident after crash

Jorge Lorenzo remains confident that he will be fighting for a podium in Sunday’s French MotoGP as he was fortunate to escape further injury in a crash in Le Mans today.

Still way short of full fitness after he fractured bones in both ankles in a spectacular high-side crash in Shanghai earlier this month, the Spaniard didn’t aggravate any of his injuries after he tumbled out of turn two.

The double world 250 champion still finished fourth fastest with a best time of 1:34.487 after he’d bounced back in brilliant fashion this morning with the second best time on his first YZR-M1 ride at the French circuit.

Lorenzo said: “The first thing I did when I crashed was to stand up in order to check that I hadn’t done any more damage. Luckily it’s okay and I don’t think I have made anything worse and at the moment I don’t need 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. If it is dry then I think I will have the possibility to fight for the pole position, but if it is wet it will be a different story.”

Lorenzo has claimed three pole positions in his first four races for the Fiat Yamaha team, and despite his fourth place in Shanghai, he goes into Sunday’s 28-lap French MotoGP trailing Dani Pedrosa by only seven points.