Dovizioso quickest in practice as Lorenzo crashes again
BURIRAM ( Thailand): Andrea Dovizioso sped to the fastest lap in practice for the inaugural Thailand MotoGP as his Ducati teammate Jorge Lorenzo was passed fit for the weekend despite a heavy crash.
Dovizioso led the second session with a lap of 1:31.090, 0.031 seconds ahead of Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales who had topped the morning time sheets.
Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez, who leads Dovizioso by 72 points as he closes in on a fifth MotoGP world title, was fourth quickest in the afternoon session.
But much attention focused on the nasty spill by Lorenzo, who was already dealing with a foot injury sustained in Aragon last month.
He was cleared to race on Thursday but told reporters he was still in pain and could be seen limping.
About halfway through the second practice Lorenzo crashed, tumbling across the track as his bike broke into pieces, temporarily stopping the session.
MotoGP tweeted afterwards that Lorenzo was undergoing further medical examinations but “has been declared fit” to race following his accident.
Thailand is hosting its first MotoGP in Buriram, a sleepy town several hours’ drive from the Thai capital Bangkok.
Lorenzo’ Ducati team said on Twitter that Lorenzo had an X-ray at the Chang circuit medical centre that showed strong bruising on his left wrist and right ankle but no fractures.
The three-time MotoGP world champion, who is joining compatriot and reigning champion Marc Marquez at the factory Honda team next year, then went to Buriram hospital for a further scan.
Lorenzo arrived in Thailand nursing a foot injury from the previous Aragon Grand Prix in Spain, where he was flipped off his bike at the start.
Yesterday’s turn three accident also threw Lorenzo into the air, the Spaniard landing heavily while his bike was wrecked. He was carried away on a stretcher.
Italian teammate Andrea Dovizioso was fastest in the session.
Lorenzo is fourth in the MotoGP standings, 116 points behind Marquez with five races remaining.