Lorenzo woes gather pace

– Spanish star Jorge Lorenzo (above) was taken to hospital for checks after a heavy fall in yesterday’s second practice for the first MotoGP in Thailand.

His 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 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 nursing a foot injury from the previous Aragon MotoGP 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 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso was fastest in the session.

Lorenzo is fourth in the title race, 116 points behind Marquez with five races remaining.

Meanwhile Lorenzo’s teammate Andrea Dovizioso sped to the fastest lap in practice ahead of Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales who had topped the morning timesheets.

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. – Reuters