Lorenzo standing down for Japanese GP

After a brief outing in FP1 to test his physical condition, Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) took no further part in the action on Friday at the MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan, as the wrist fracture the Spaniard sustained in Thailand is causing too many issues on the demanding Twin Ring Motegi circuit.

Although the decision means Lorenzo is likely to withdraw from the event, Lorenzo and Ducati are keeping open the option to reverse the decision at any point during the weekend if the five-time world champion’s injury dramatically improves.

“It seems it will be the end of his weekend. He has felt better during the two weeks of rest, but in the last days, he has intensified the training and has more pain," Ducati Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti told MotoGP.com. "We did the tests again and we have seen that the fracture has not healed. Motegi is not the best track to ride when you are injured. Let's see what he decides but with this pain, it would not be smart to run.”