Spaniard suffers dislocated and fractured toe in opening incident.
Jorge Lorenzo has called out future teammate Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) over a first turn crash that saw the Ducati Team rider accept an early departure from the 23-lap encounter at Aragon in Spain.
Lorenzo, who started from pole position, says Marquez’ late braking into the opening turn caused him to run ride and subsequently fall, stating the defending champion doesn’t care for his rivals in such incidents.
The crash saw the number 99 suffer a dislocated metatarsal phalangeal right big toe in addition to a compound fracture of the second metatarsal, although he’s anticipated to line-up at Thailand’s 15th round in two weeks’ time.
“I’m really disappointed and very angry about what happened today,” Lorenzo expressed. “Because I was sure I could have done a great race and fought for the win. I got a good start, but the line followed by Marquez, who braked late into the first corner, forced me to go wide and he blocked my line.
“To avoid being passed by the other riders I accelerated on the dirt, the rear of the bike spun away from me and I crashed. I think that Marc is not new to this sort of action – he doesn’t care about other riders and he knows it all too well. I don’t intend to speak with Race Direction and I only hope that this type of thing doesn’t happen again in the future.
“Now we have to see how long it will take to recover, because I’ve got a dislocated toe and another one broken, and I only hope I can be ready for Thailand. It’s a real pity to go away from Aragon with another zero and with an injury as well. I’m very sad and disappointed.”
Lorenzo is set join to Marquez at Repsol Honda from 2019 after announcing his plans in June, effectively replacing the retiring Dani Pedrosa.