Injured Lorenzo says podium realistic

The Yamaha rider managed to take third in America despite damaging his shoulder and breaking bones in his foot when he had a violent high-side shortly after taking pole position in qualifying.

He said his condition had improved since then, but was not yet perfect.

"Following my injuries in Laguna Seca, I am feeling a lot better after a week of rest but I won't be at 100 per cent this weekend," Lorenzo warned.

"I have some pain in my foot when walking and also in my shoulder joint, so the first thing I will do when I get to Sachsenring is go to the Clinica Mobile."

He expects this race to be a damage limitation exercise.

"My aim as ever this weekend is to be on the podium and to try to get as many points as possible compared to the rivals that are in front of me," he said.

His team manager Daniele Romagnoli is confident that Lorenzo can still take home plenty of points despite his injuries, having shrugged the discomfort off very effectively as he battled team-mate Valentino Rossi for second at Laguna.

"We're happy to report that Jorge's condition is a lot better after a week of rest," Romagnoli said. "He won't be in perfect condition but he will be a lot stronger and therefore able to push harder on the bike this weekend than he could in Laguna.

"In America Jorge showed once again that he has a great determination to achieve his potential whatever condition he is in and so we hope that in Germany we can be in good shape once again, be at the front and fight for the podium. We need to try to recover some points as we look to the summer break."

Lorenzo currently holds second in the world championship, nine points behind Rossi, and seven ahead of Casey Stoner.