Following intensive surgery to help a broken scaphoid, Jorge Lorenzo will miss out on the first MotoGP round of 2019.

The Spaniard, during frantic last minute preparations to lose weight in the gym, slipped following a rigorous fitness regime that included cracking one off, and woke up on the operating table undergoing surgery for a broken scaphoid.

said Jorge

The newly signed Repsol Honda rider elected to have surgery on the injury, and a titanium screw was inserted via a minimally invasive technique.

He will remain in hospital for 4 days for observation and has been told not to touch himself to give the injury sufficient time to heal from the operation when physiotherapy can then begin.

The Team hopes to have Lorenzo return to full fitness for Jerez in April, and are said to be undertaking a review of his fitness regime.