Lorenzo: Let's see if I can ride the whole weekend

Jorge Lorenzo is itching to get back on the Ducati as the Spaniard targets a racing return this weekend at Sepang.

Lorenzo was injured in a heavy fall in FP2 in Thailand, causing him to miss the race at the Chang International Circuit plus the following rounds at Motegi and Phillip Island.

However, he now hopes to be fit enough to take part in the penultimate MotoGP round of the season this weekend in Malaysia ahead of his final race on the Ducati at Valencia.

Lorenzo, who will join Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda in 2019, said: “I feel better than Motegi some weeks ago, the operation went well and for sure I feel a little bit more strong and more powerful obviously.

“Just eight days ago I had the operation, so yesterday I had took the cast off my wrist. I didn’t move my wrist and for sure the mobility is not very good. We need to speed up this recovery of mobility to be as good as possible,” he added.

“For sure it is going to be difficult because this track is hard braking but I prefer to come back here rather than Phillip Island, because Phillip Island would be less braking but much worse for the wind and cold, everything. I’m going to try, I’m better than in Japan, so let’s wait and see if I am able to race for the whole weekend.”

Lorenzo said his main priority was getting some track time under his belt before the season concludes at Valencia in Spain, where he will have his Ducati swansong.

“Firstly, I want to go back to the bike because it has been a long time since I am riding and you are losing practice, skills, everything,” he said.

“Even if this time I think I will not be able to fight for something big, at least I get used to the bike and this will help me for my last chance to make a good result with the Ducati at Valencia.”