Lorenzo hoping to bounce back from illness

Lorenzo was in the hunt for victory in Qatar until foam inside his helmet worked loose, restricting his vision and forcing him to back off on his way to fourth place.

The Spaniard was fourth again at Austin last weekend but was off the pace throughout the event as he battled bronchitis.

Those results leave him fifth in the standings, 15 points behind Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi, but Lorenzo is sure he can make progress at Termas de Río Hondo.

"It was a very tough race, because physically I wasn't feeling good due to the bronchitis and the antibiotics," he said.

"I finished the race in the best way possible given the circumstances. I wasn't fit and the bike also needed some extra performance on some areas of the track, especially on the straight I lost a lot.

"[In Austin] and in Qatar two problems occurred that were difficult to overcome but we saved the situations the best we could. I will probably be fit in Argentina.

"Last year I rode a good race there while I wasn't in the best condition. Now that the bike is working better, I hope I will be ready physically.

"I have high hopes for the race in Argentina and the track is fun to race at."