Lorenzo grateful to escape uninjured

Failure to complete the Iveco Australian Grand Prix on Sunday due to a crash leaves Jorge Lorenzo 38 points adrift of championship leader Valentino Rossi, but the Spaniard chose to take the positives from his experience at Phillip Island.

Lorenzo touched bikes with Ducati Marlboro rider Nicky Hayden at turn one of the first lap and ran off, meaning that Rossi’s second place behind race victor Casey Stoner moves the Italian further clear at the top of the standings.

“I made a good start but I was very close to Nicky and didn’t expect him to brake so quickly, so I touched Nicky and I couldn’t stay on the bike,” explained Lorenzo. “My front brake broke and I couldn’t brake on the corner. I had two options; to go straight or try to take the corner, I tried to take the corner but I didn’t have a brake and the rear tyre didn’t stay so I crashed. I have a little damage on my nose and finger, but it could be worse.”

Lorenzo refused to let his disappointment at the points deficit in the race for the title override his relief at escaping without serious injury.

“No this is not the most important thing, because it happens,” he said in relation to Rossi’s improved lead. “It was difficult to win the world title, but I crashed. The thing that’s most important to me is my health, but now I’m a little less healthy!”