Need 4 Lancer

Without a doubt, one of the scariest moments in any motorcycle rider’s life is the split-second just before a high-side. This kind of accident often takes place after a turn is taken at high speed and the rider attempts to accelerate out of the corner. The rear tire loses enough traction that it slides out of line with the front wheel, then quickly regains its footing, snapping the bike violently upright. Almost always, this results in a nasty spill, making high-sides extremely dangerous.

This exact scenario played out during the qualifying round for the 250cc MotoGP race in Mugello. Honda rider Raffaele de Rosa was near the end of a fast lap when the bike lost traction and then quickly snapped back up, very nearly throwing de Rosa off the bike. Obviously a skilled rider, he was able to ride the bike as if it were some sort of rodeo bull, remounting the machine and returning to the pits. Truly amazing, and we highly recommend you click past the break to watch the video. Tip of the hat helmet to Karan!

Professionals earn pockets full of cheese usually because they do whatever it is they do better, faster, stronger than anyone else. Sometimes, though, they get the big bucks because they’ll do something again after having nearly killed themselves the first time. That is: they’ll get right back on the horse when a lot of non-professionals would instead grab a gin and tonic and watch reruns of I Love Lucy.

Jorge Lorenzo earned his money and a stay in hospital over the weekend during practice for the MotoGP China Grand Prix. On one run the bike bucked under him coming out of a turn, sending the 21-year-old rider up out of his seat like he was riding a bronco, but he managed to keep the bike upright and moving. On a following run he wasn’t so fortunate, highsiding, somersaulting, and suffering a fractured left ankle, a painful right ankle, a cut heel, a knee abrasion, and forearm compression.

But here’s where Lorenzo really impresses: he still got on the bike to qualify on Saturday, and came in fourth in Sunday’s race. Follow the jump to check out the videos of the bucking incident and the highside. And from now on, the word you’re looking for to describe Jorge Lorenzo: pro.
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