MotoGP World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo escaped serious injury in a spectacular crash during the first practice session for the Grand Prix of China this morning (Friday).
Lorenzo, who celebrates his 21st birthday on Sunday, was thrown high in the air when he highsided from his Fiat Yamaha coming out of turn two. The Mallorca - based rider who won his first MotoGP race in Portugal three weeks ago, was rushed to the medical centre at the Shanghai circuit and then taken to hospital for a scan.
Incredibly Lorenzo, who is the current 250 cc World Champion, was diagnosed with a chipped bone in his left ankle, bruising to his right ankle and right knee but no fractures. A decision if he will be fit to ride in the qualifying session tomorrow afternoon will be made later.
In the absence of Lorenzo his three great rivals Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Danny Pedrosa fought a titanic battle at the front in the two practice sessions held in dry sunny conditions.
Seven times World Champion Rossi led the way from World Champion Stoner who'd dominated the proceedings last year on the Marlboro Ducati. Joint Championship leader Pedrosa, who won his first MotoGP race in China two years ago, also led the way but finally had to settle for third. Rossi was the only rider to lap under two minutes which he did in the morning session.
Japanese rider Shinya Nakano smiled for the first time this year after finishing in fourth place riding the San Carlo Gresini Honda machine in front of Americans John Hopkins and former World Champion Nicky Hayden.
Toseland Cuts Out Almost One SecondJames Toseland made good use of his first visit to the long demanding Shanghai circuit. Riding the Tech 3 Yamaha, the 27 year old Yorkshireman knocked nearly one second off his time in the afternoon session to finally finish 13th fastest.
"It's a long circuit to learn but I'm getting my head round it and was pleased to lose almost one second in the afternoon. I'm learning all the time and will continue tomorrow before the qualifying session in the afternoon."
Smith Qualifies Second Despite CrashBoth Bradley Smith and Danny Webb crashed in the first day of 125 practice and qualifying but both recovered to qualify strongly. Seventeen year old Smith fell from the Polaris World Aprilia racing into turn eight early in the afternoon qualifying session. He rushed back to the pits and went out on his second machine. With just a couple minutes remaining of the 30 minute session he led the way only to be pipped by his great rival, German teenager Stefan Bradl as the chequered flag was being prepared.
The in form Danny Webb crashed coming into the start and finish early in the first morning practice session. Riding the Degraff Aprilia, he showed no ill effects in qualifying and slipped off the provisional front row to eventually qualify in ninth place.
Fifteen year old Scott Redding worked hard to learn the long 3.21 mile Shanghai circuit on his first visit to China. He eventually qualified a creditable 20th and will learn a lot more in the practice and qualifying sessions tomorrow (Saturday).
In the 250 cc class Ulsterman Eugene Laverty was 18th riding the Blusens Aprilia in the first qualifying session.
