Italian MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo at ’70 per cent’ fitness

Spanish rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo reckons he will be 70 per cent fit for this weekend’s Italian MotoGP in Mugello.

The Fiat Yamaha rider goes into round six of the series trailing championship leader Valentino Rossi by just three-points as he continues to recover from the leg injuries he suffered earlier this month in a spectacular crash in Shanghai.

Now moving around with the aid of crutches and not a wheelchair, the double world 250 champion told MCN today: “If I have to run then maybe I am only at 30 or 40 per cent, but to be on the bike I will be about 75 per cent.”

Lorenzo has been undergoing a daily course of physiotherapy to help ease the pain of two fractured ankles, which did little to deter the 21-year-old when he rode to a heroic and stunning second place in Le Mans.

Lorenzo, who claimed pole position in his first three races in MotoGP, added: “My feeling is coming better. I can push down more on my ankles and I can walk sometimes without the crutches.

“Now I can say I am much better than in Le Mans and I have a great motivation to ride at this circuit. I was very surprised with my result in Le Mans because it was more than a dream. The day before the race I thought I could only finish fifth so to get second it was incredible.

“For sure to finish near the front at Le Mans was a big step in motivation for me and mentally this was important because I didn’t imagine to be in this position, and to get it means I can be even better when my physical condition is better.”

Lorenzo has been restricted to using only weights to build up his upper body strength in training, though he has recently been using an exercise bike to increase the pressure he can put on his feet.”