Niccolo Canepa will not see out his maiden MotoGP campaign after being forced to miss the season finale at Valencia with injury.

The Italian suffered the injury with a fall at the Australian Grand Prix, the ailment forcing him to skip the previous round in Malaysia. Although he was scheduled to return to action in Spain, doctors have suggested that he allows the arm to heal further.

A disappointing end to Canepa's first season in MotoGP with Pramac Ducati, the Italian will not race in the series next year after struggling to post top ten results.

"I am very sad as I will not be able to step on track this weekend at Valencia,” he said. “I really cared about competing in this last Grand Prix of the season to end it with a good result.

“I want to thank the Pramac Racing Team, Paolo Campinoti and Ducati Corse for this fantastic experience I have lived. Now I will have to think about getting back at the best physical conditions and go back on track whichever will be my next sport adventure."

Canepa's place in the team will once again be taken by Aleix Espargaro, the Spaniard having already been confirmed as his replacement at Pramac for the 2010 season.

"We are very sad that Niccolò will not make it to race with us this last Grand Prix of the season,” said Paolo Campinoti. “Last year he has done a quite good job here during the first winter test and he could have achieved a good result also in this occasion. We would like to thank him for the work done this year and we wish him the best of luck for a future rich of success whichever road he will take.

“He is a talented rider who has to accumulate more experience to come back at the top level. His place will be taken once again by Aleix Espargarò: in every race he has competed with us this season he has done quite well and we confide he will be able to do the same this weekend in Valencia."