Jorge Lorenzo will return home to Spain for further checks on his injured left wrist and will miss next weekend's MotoGP Australian Grand Prix, Ducati has confirmed.
Lorenzo withdrew from the Thai Grand Prix two weeks ago after suffering a suspect hairline fracture in crash caused by a technical issue during FP2, adding to his injury woes following the right foot he fractured in a similar highside on the opening lap of the Aragon race.
The Ducati rider travelled to Motegi and was passed fit to ride, though he cast doubt over actually making it to the race after fresh scans revealed his wrist had actually suffered a complete fracture.
Completing just one out-lap in FP1 on Friday, Lorenzo confirmed his withdrawal from the Japanese weekend towards the end of the opening practice session and admitted it was unlikely he would race at Phillip Island next week.
In a statement released via its Twitter, Ducati confirmed the Spaniard will travel home to continue recovery and hopes to be fit enough to race in Malaysia in two weeks' time.
“In accordance with the Ducati Team, Jorge Lorenzo will return home today in order to have further checks with doctors and speed up the recovery of his left wrist,” the statement read.
“Jorge will miss the Australian GP next week, and will try to be as fit as possible for the Malaysian GP.”
With Lorenzo's Phillip Island absence confirmed prior to the event, Ducati are obliged by the rules to field a replacement.
Test rider Michele Pirro is unavailable to take his place due to a test at Valencia next weekend, with paddock rumours suggesting Ducati World Superbike-bound Alvaro Bautista could be called up to fill in for his compatriot.
It is unclear who will take over Bautista's Nieto Ducati GP17 at Phillip Island should the Spaniard be drafted in by the Italian marque.
