Jorge Lorenzo survived a major scare after crashing in Friday practice for the French MotoGP.

The Spanish rookie is competing despite breaking bones in both ankles in a spectacular high-side in China a fortnight ago.

The Fiat Yamaha man fell on the exit of turn one shortly before the end of the afternoon session. He got to his feet unaided but was carried off on a stretcher.

World championship leader Dani Pedrosa set the fastest time of the day for Honda, clocking 1:34.227 in an afternoon session when favourable conditions saw times improved across the board.

However, only six hundredths of a second covered the top three, with reigning champion Casey Stoner and Tech3 Yamaha's Colin Edwards applying pressure.

Lorenzo was fourth with Britain's James Toseland a disappointing 15th, over a second and a half slower than his team-mate Edwards.

Former champion Nicky Hayden has endured speculation over his future and did nothing to suggest he is set to break out of his recent slump. The American was 12th, clocking 1:35.378.

Alex Chick / Eurosport