From Wheelchair to Starting Line on May 18 -- Can Lorenzo Do It?

[Mr Lefty]

http://motorcycledaily.com/06may08_jlorenzo.htm

If you had just received a hard casting of your broken right ankle, and a brace to support a torn ligament in your left ankle, and were now confined to a wheelchair, could you imagine lining up to race a MotoGP event on May 18? Less than two weeks away? This is the issue facing Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, who lies second in the MotoGP championship series, after injuring both ankles this past weekend in China. Lorenzo bravely rode those injured ankles to a fourth place finish before visiting his doctor yesterday to discover the extent of his injuries. It seems this kid is just as tough as he is cocky and talented. What follows is a press release from his team describing his difficult circumstances.

Having flown straight back to Spain on Sunday night following his stunning ride to fourth place in Shanghai last weekend, Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo visited the Dexeus Institue in Barcelona on Monday morning for further examination by world-renowned specialist Dr. Xavier Mir.


Dr. Mir, who had only operated on Lorenzo two weeks ago to relieve compartmental syndrome in his right forearm, was keen to carry out his own diagnosis on the injuries sustained during free practice for the Grand Prix of China, which the Clinica Mobile had treated to great effect in Shanghai in order to allow Lorenzo to ride.

The injuries were confirmed to be slightly worse than first thought, especially to the right ankle, which was originally thought to have escaped fracture. A 3D CAT scan of both ankles revealed the following further injuries:

- Fracture of the Astragalus in the right ankle (no displacement)

- Torn lateral internal ligament in the left ankle

Treatment now consists of a solid cast for Lorenzo’s right ankle and an elastic support for his left, temporarily confining him to a wheelchair. "Next Monday we will carry out more tests and make a detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered to both ankles,” commented Doctor Mir.

Lorenzo lies second in the MotoGP World Championship after taking a victory, a second place, a third and a fourth from the opening four rounds. He now faces a battle to be fit for the next chapter of his incredible rookie story - the Grand Prix of France at Le Mans on 18th May.

humm... I think he can and will... but I wonder how well he'll do... I say he'll do be in the top 10 MAYBE top 5... but no podium unless Rossi and Pedrosa wreck

[JK]

i would like to not like the guy, but its hard not to like the guy after that China round.

Plus hes been MONEY in fantasy points

[Mr Lefty]

that and he thinks Pedrosa is a fuck'n tool... which he is... so he's cool in my book

that's kinda how I started like'n Rossi... cause I hated Biaggi... and Rossi was like the anti-Biaggi!

[Rider]

Pedrosa is a tool but that little fucker can ride...

Hopefully Lorenzo will recover enough to ride in France without his ankles being a problem.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Ebbs15

that and he thinks Pedrosa is a fuck'n tool... which he is... so he's cool in my book

that's kinda how I started like'n Rossi... cause I hated Biaggi... and Rossi was like the anti-Biaggi!

No shit, right? Hope he heals quickly and completely. I hate the fact that they continue to beat the hell out of themselves when they are already broken all in the sake of their riding career. When, in the long run... they ruin their career in the process. McCoy

[z06boy]

I gained a lot of respect for Lorenzo after seeing him finish 4th after suffering those injuries in that crash.

Does anyone have a clip of the crash ? I've only seen still photos. The video was pulled from YouTube before I saw it.

I've heard he is or can be a tool but while in gear and on the bike...I like him.

[zortness]

Originally Posted by azoomm

When, in the long run... they ruin their career in the process. McCoy

McCoy just never learned how to ride hard without crashing. He was never a smooth rider.

I hope Lorenzo can race, I want him to beat the pedrobot, but I hope Rossi wins the title again.

[smileyman]

From my experience, personal and just observational, it is easier to defy the odds and bounce back immediately than it is after a period of time has gone by. Kinda like being in shock your body continues to function impaired for a time and then as it shifts to a healing mode, slows you a bit.

Broken bones don't heal in 2 weeks time and torn ligaments will require surgery or they won't every heal properly, so I don't look for him to soldier up another 4th place finish. Would be a cinderella thing and would be awesome but I think he will be hobbled for 3-4 races maybe even miss one.

[the chi]

who doesnt have the right to be a lil cocky when you have mad skillz like these guys?! Hope he makes it back in time, he's got heart!