Lorenzo: Don’t do what I did!


MotoGP News
Date: 11/July/2013

MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo hopes that other riders will not try to copy his own early injury return.

Lorenzo passed a fitness test and was allowed to race less than two days after surgery on a broken collarbone, suffered in practice at Assen, Holland.

The Factory Yamaha rider claimed an amazing fifth place in the grand prix and, in doing so, lost just two points to title leader Dani Pedrosa (Honda).

But the implication is clear: In future other riders will try to do the same.

“If someone is injured we can now go to the medical office and say, ‘Jorge rode with a broken collarbone’,” confirmed fellow Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow.

Lorenzo insists that each case should be looked at in isolation.

“Don’t do what I did, please! Riders in the future with similar injuries should not take my Assen race as an example. You have to take into account how your body feels. If you feel good to race and mentally strong then you can race - but Assen should not be an example for anyone.”

Asked if it would be better to allow riders to drop their worst result of the season, to reduce the temptation to ride while injured, Lorenzo responded:

“I think that would increase the risks taken by riders. The best way to win the title now is to stay on the bike and that is also the best way to avoid being injured. If you have the possibility to crash without losing any points you will take more risks and that will lead to more injuries.”

Free practice for the German MotoGP takes place on Friday. Pedrosa has won the event for the past three seasons.

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