Buzzin MotoGP

Jorge Lorenzo

Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, should have been thrilled by starting the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on pole position for the fourth time, however, as soon as he had set the fastest lap in qualifying he suffered a huge high-side.

Lorenzo had already been off his bike earlier in the session but was straight back on his feet, desperately trying to get back to the pits for the spare.

The Spaniard, rejoined the track and with three minutes of the session remaining, he lost traction on his rear tyre at the same fast right-hander and was thrown high into the air before landing heavily on his right shoulder and then into the gravel.

Paramedics rushed to the Yamaha rider, but after several attempts he appeared not to be able to put any pressure on his right leg.  He was taken by ambulance to the circuit’s Clinica Mobile where he was diagnosed with a partially dislocated shoulder and a fractured bone in his right foot.  Lorenzo then went onto finish third in the race.

It’s usually about this time in the season when all the rumours start flying about who’s going where, and of course, the name at the top of the board at the moment is Lorenzo.

Lorenzo has already said that his first choice would be Yamaha, as it has the best bike and he is competitive, but he also pointed out that his decision will have nothing to do with the future of Rossi.

Valentino Rossi is contracted with the team until 2010 and it was rumoured that he would then retire from the sport.  It was then suggested that Lorenzo was being lined-up to be the next leader but the Spaniard has stated that his decision will have nothing to do with when or if Rossi retires.

After the American round, the whisper was that Lorenzo and his management team had been in talks with Honda. The boss of Yamaha Maseo Furusawa, has said that he was aware of the rumours and would love for Lorenzo to stay with Yamaha but that he would not be drawn into a bidding war.

Lorenzo has not denied that talks had taken place but said that there had been no offers and nothing has been signed, and added that he and his manager are open to offers.