The crash was the first setback in a superb debut season for Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo could miss the next round of the MotoGP championship in France on 18 May after a scan revealed the full extent of his ankle injuries.

The Yamaha rider crashed in practice for the Chinese Grand Prix before recovering to come fourth in the race.

But further examination has revealed he fractured his right ankle and damaged ligaments in the left.

Lorenzo, who is second in the championship standings, will have more tests and evaluation next Monday.

The Spaniard, who turned 21 on the day of the Chinese Grand Prix, was racing for the first time since undergoing arm surgery.

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Despite taking the impact of his fall on his arms he managed to avoid damaging them further, but he did superbly to qualify fourth fastest and finish the race in fourth place.

In the previous three races of his debut season in MotoGP, Lorenzo had managed three pole positions and three podium finishes.

His failure to reach podium in China saw him slip to second place in the championship standings, seven points behind compatriot and bitter rival Dani Pedrosa.