Jorge Lorenzo says painkillers and adrenalin got him through today’s qualifying at Motegi, where he finished third fastest despite a massive off just hours earlier.

The reigning champion suffered a huge highside in Turn Two at the end of free practice three, hitting the ground hard.

He was flown to the Dokkyo Hospital in Utsunomiya City for a CT scan and  was declared fit to ride, so he rushed back to the track just in time to make free practice four and qualifying, where he ended the day third quickest behind his Movistar Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi and Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez.

“It has been a long time since I had a crash like today, flying a lot of metres in the air and touching the ground very strong, very tough,” he said.

"So I was scared, I was scared at the beginning because all my body was hurting and I expected the worst,  especially in the left leg. But it was just a big impact, in all the body, but especially in this leg.

“For caution, we went to the hospital and they checked all my body and we came back to the track to make FP4 and it was much better than I expected.”

Lorenzo was happy with his pace and delighted to finish third quickest, and believes he has a chance tomorrow, assuming he doesn’t wake up in more pain.

“The bike was working well and I was faster and faster every lap, so I was really surprised about that and I was ready to fight for the pole position but you know, the lap times from Marc and Rossi were very fast, especially the one of Rossi following Vinales and I couldn't get close and I pushed but I couldn't make pole position.

“I'm happy with this result, I think we have good potential to fight for the victory tomorrow.

“When I came back I had a lot of pain and couldn't walk very well, but with painkillers and also the adrenalin of qualifying I feel a big improvement and on the bike I just forget about the crash and the injuries.

“I rode well and with power, so it should be okay for tomorrow.”