Lorenzo crash opens up MotoGP title race

The Yamaha Factory Racing rider was fastest in Thursday's morning practise session, but crashed in the wet afternoon practise session, breaking his left collarbone. The injury has ruled the Spaniard out of this Saturday's Dutch TT round, although he is likely to return for the following round at the Sachsenring on July 14.

Lorenzo broke the same collarbone at Catalunya in 2005, and had follow-up surgery to remove a plate holding the collarbone together in 2009.

With Lorenzo a non-starter for this weekend's round, Pedrosa has an opportunity to increase his championship lead over Lorenzo by more than the current seven points (123 to 116).

Following Lorenzo's crash, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) posted the quickest time in the second practise session, two tenths ahead of Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing), with Pedrosa third fastest. Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP), and the Ducati factory team of Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden.

Images: MotoGP.com

UPDATE: Lorenzo underwent surgery in Barcelona Friday morning (no surgery space was reportedly available in Assen, hence the journey to Spain), and has had his fractured collarbone plated and screwed.

UPDATE 2: Lorenzo will take part in Saturday's race, and has flown back to Holland on Friday.