Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies missed the Grand Prix of Australia following separate on track incidents by both.
World Champion Lorenzo was declared unfit to race after sustaining an injury to the fourth finger of the left hand during this morning's warm up. He traveled to Melbourne to undergo plastic surgery to repair the damage. A post surgery report will follow.
Lorenzo's team mate Ben Spies received a hit to the head during the qualifying session after a high speed crash at turn 3. After attempting to ride some laps in this morning's warm up, the American reached an agreement with team members that with reduced concentration attempting the race would be considered too dangerous for himself and other competitors and withdrew from the race.
