Assen MotoGP: Fifth better than a victory for Lorenzo

The reigning champion came from 12th on the grid to achieve the remarkable result despite undergoing surgery in Barcelona to fix the injury in the early hours of Friday morning.

"It would have been impossible to believe some minutes after my crash that this could happen," said Lorenzo, who ran as high as fourth in the race.

"We were brave to make the operation the same day, if I had waited to Friday the doctors would not have let me race.

"We made the race today and I was very brave in the first laps because passing the riders with a collarbone like this under braking was really hard.

"I felt quite good physically at the beginning of the race but after lap seven every lap was worse; it was more difficult to change direction, to brake and to accelerate so I couldn't do more than fifth position.

"This fifth position is better than any victory I have had in my career."

With his title rival Dani Pedrosa only managing fourth, Lorenzo's championship bid sustained minimal damage.

He warned that despite his amazing ride in the Netherlands, he would still be recovering when the series resumes in Germany in a fortnight.

"I hope to have a good recovery for Germany, I will not be 100 per cent but I hope to be better than here," said Lorenzo.

"Let's see what happens in Sachsenring as last year we had some issues and the Hondas were strong but I think if I can improve my physical condition I can be more competitive than this race."