MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo is to defy his second shoulder operation in two weeks and be back on track for this weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Lorenzo broke his left collarbone in a 170mph highside at Assen on June 27, underwent surgery the next day, and made a shock return for fifth in the race.

Lorenzo described the achievement as "better than any victory in my career."

But the Spaniard then bent the titanium plate holding his collarbone together during another big fall last Friday in Germany (pictured), forcing a second round of surgery - another plate, ten screws and some bone from his pelvis.

Having suffered so much, Lorenzo initially stated that he would not return until Indianapolis in mid-August. However, just as Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi had predicted, Lorenzo has had a change of heart.

With former title leader Dani Pedrosa also missing Sunday's Sachsenring race through injury, Lorenzo remains in the thick of the championship fight - just eleven points from new rookie leader Marc Marquez.

"Finally we have decided to go to Laguna Seca," said Lorenzo. "Following the final medical check and after speaking with Doctor Rodr?guez we are going to try.

"At the beginning I seriously thought that it might have been convenient to take the necessary time to recover and be back at Indy, but in the last two days I have felt much better so now I want to be there, although I will try to not take too many risks.

"I want to be there also for the fans, for the championship but especially for my team, that is waiting for me.

"I want to thank everybody for all the support I have received so far and I want to say "thank you" to the doctors who took care of me after the crash at Sachsenring, both at the Clinica Mobile and at the Hospital General de Catalunya, especially Doctors Rodr?guez and Cots."

Pedrosa, just two points from Honda team-mate Marquez, will also return to action this weekend. Pedrosa suffered a 'small fracture' in his left collarbone in Saturday practice, but it was low blood pressure and dizziness that caused him to miss the race.

The summer break begins after Sunday's round, meaning Lorenzo and Pedrosa will then have until August 16-18 to recover fully - providing they sustain no further injuries.