MotoGP: Was Lorenzo fit enough to race?

MotoGP's premier race reporter, Mike Scott, questions whether racers should ride if they're not physically fit

Posted: 3 June 2008
by Mike Scott

SHOULD THERE be stricter medical tests for injured riders? The question buzzed around the paddock at Mugello, in the wake of wheelchair-bound Jorge Lorenzo’s fourth place at Le Mans, riding with one ankle fractured and the other with tendon damage.

Most riders thought that physical injuries were self-regulating. As Randy Mamola said, among several examples he cited: “When Loris Capirossi was riding a Honda 500 for Sito Pons, he crashed and broke his hand in morning warm-up at Assen, and he raced and finished third.

“We are not superhuman, but sports people in general have very strong minds … you know the phrase: Mind over matter,” he said.

Comparing the rigorous tests that F1 drivers have to pass after crashing, Mamola pointed out that the G-forces are much stronger in an F1 car, both in braking and lateral G in cornering.

Casey Stoner broadly agreed. “In 2003 when I slightly broke my collarbone after breaking it earlier, I had to do 10 push-ups to show I was strong enough.

“But maybe there has to be stricter testing and some system for concussion,” he added, recalling how he discovered he’d been ruled out of the 2006 GP for concussion “before the results of the CAT scan were ready … and they were clear.” That, he agreed, demonstrated that there was no effective system.

Nicky Hayden said he was less worried about injuries than the effects of medication.

“I’ve only gotten tested one time, and it seemed pretty thorough, but it’s not so much the injury, more the dope – how much drugs they give a guy. If a guy can suck it up and ride through pain, that’s cool, but if he’s not all there and doesn’t have his balance, that’s what gets scary.

“Injuries, I don’t have a problem,” Hayden concluded. “I’m more worried about how much juice they give a guy.”

Footnote: Stoner was far convinced that Lorenzo’s injuries were as bad as he was making out. “No offence, but if you can push-start a MotoGP bike, then you’re strong enough to ride.” (Lorenzo stalled on the start line in China, and managed to push the bike, though he did have some help getting it started.


Previous article
Seeley and McWilliams take NW200 wins		 Next article
MotoGP: Ducati - No new bike in the pipeline


motorcycle news
TwitterStumbleUponFacebookDiggRedditGoogle


Discuss this story


Chrisz

I understand that if you are on pain meds you are high its not safe and the rider should not race untill they are off the meds. 


Posted: 05/06/2008 at 15:19


Mr Marv
But this is Moto GP.. They make there own rules.

Posted: 05/06/2008 at 15:23


AdamA
Chrisz wrote (see)

I understand that if you are on pain meds you are high its not safe and the rider should not race untill they are off the meds.

Then no you do not understand.

Opiods will make you high to a certain extent, but NSAIDs and co analgesics would more likely have been used seeing as they didn't want him killing himself or anyone else. They do not generally impair you mental capabilites.

I guess that's why they have healthcare professionals treating them, and not Nicky Hayden or you.


Posted: 05/06/2008 at 18:26


Chrisz

ok I see what your saying but how does a guy with a broken bones in his one foot and tenden probems in the other push is bike and restart it ? the meds must work really well you know as well as I do that he was not going to tell anyone the truth about the real pain he is in . I am not a hater but really lets keep Nicky out of this.lol   


Posted: 05/06/2008 at 20:08


2nd Degree

But what about his ability to get out of the way if he has an off and he ends up in the middle of the track?  Not much of an issue now he is getting mobility back but for the race in China it would have been.

Maybe the adrenaline would have kicked and he would have got out of the way?


Posted: 06/06/2008 at 08:01


Chrisz

Its crazy that a rider would be aloud to get out or his wheel chair and'' jump'' on a 300k + rocket and race.


Posted: 06/06/2008 at 15:03


respin1228

how many times is he going to highside and land hard on his ankles?

law of averages says that next time he will hit his head


Posted: 06/06/2008 at 17:49


respin1228
might knock some sense into him

Posted: 06/06/2008 at 17:49


trackdaybob
Word on the street is Dr. Costa has suspended him for 48 hrs. So no racing for George this weekend.

Posted: 06/06/2008 at 20:48


PLuKE

I saw it on MotoGP.com at late afternoon, That he was going to race. But they arent aloud to race or even go on the bike if they have bagged there head and have concusion, As on Eurosport they said he didnt know what was what!. But i agree going from a wheelchair onto a bike is mad!.

Luke


Posted: 06/06/2008 at 22:34


Seb#43

he's in a chair to rest his foot as much as possible when he's not riding so he can race to the best of his ability. Not because he needs to be in it as he can't walk. Because he obviously could but with considerable pain.

This is racing and the guys have to be hard as nails. The doc will give the rider a test to see if he is fit/safe to race and thats the final say in it.  

 Its not uncommon for guys to race with broken bones. Dennis Hobbs did 20 press ups with a freshly broken collarbone at cadwell last year and was allowed to race. As was haga at the weekend with 2 fractures. 

 I've raced with broken bones and ruptured ligaments...its not overly pleasant but once the adrenalin is pumping theres no stopping you.

Footballers cry off with a broken nail.....but we all know how successful are national team are of late!! 


Posted: 07/06/2008 at 18:55


Chrisz
Boys I rest my case . Now He will be out for weeks watching him sit in the dirt was the worst he is a very young man lots of laps in him why rush him back ? no disrespect.

Posted: 09/06/2008 at 15:23


Seb#43

rest what case?? he's been potentially sidelined by a hand injury now....needs a skin graft on his finger. And don't try and say he crashed because he was already injured....he crashed because he is on the limit racing in the toughest championship in the world.

Can't see him not racing at the next one personally.

Racing with injuries is part and parcel of racing full stop. He was performing well even carrying injuries to his ankles.  


Posted: 09/06/2008 at 17:30


Chrisz

ok your right the other injurys had nothing to do with it right . ??????


Posted: 10/06/2008 at 14:30


respin1228

sebs the wrong guy to be starting this arguement with, ive been around the uk club racing scene for ten years now and i can honestly say that his accident at cadwell was one of the most horrific accidents i have ever seen, (non fatal). within a year of me telling my missis as we put him in the ambicopter that i thought he would most certainly die - seb was back racing at cadwell still carrying major injuries, in my opinion he is best suited to explain it from a riders point of view.


Posted: 11/06/2008 at 09:50

Talkback: MotoGP: Was Lorenzo fit enough to race?