Fabrizio called up to replace Petrucci

Michel Fabrizio has been called up to replace the injured Danilo Petrucci at IodaRacing for the Italian Grand Prix, despite skipping the first day of MotoGP action at Mugello.

Petrucci had been due to make his return to MotoGP competition in Italy after a wrist injury forced him out of the Jerez and Le Mans events, but his hopes would be scuppered by doctors when he was declared unfit to compete

Despite this, IodaRacing will still be represented for its home round with Fabrizio taking his place for the remainder of the weekend.

Though hugely experienced at World Superbike level having started 217 races since 2006, Fabrizio's MotoGP experience has been limited to just 12 showings over the years, his last appearance coming in 2009. Furthermore, he has also never ridden the IodaRacing Open class machine.

However, team manager Giampiero Saachi says it was imperative his team was represented in Italy and was pleased to find a successful rider in Fabrizio to join at short notice.

"The news that came from the circuit's medical center last afternoon was a bolt from the blue for us. We were convinced, and with us it was Danilo, to be able to take part in the Italian Grand Prix, but the clinical situation of our rider is still not solved.

"For us, the Italian Grand Prix is very important and that is why we were forced to look for a replacement. Choosing Michel Fabrizio, in our opinion is the most smartest think we could do. Michel has a extensive experience in MotoGP and Superbike races , he will be a great help for us to walk miles and experience useful for the development of our bike also in the Italian GP."

A four-time WSBK race winner, Fabrizio began the 2014 season with the Iron Brain Grillini Kawasaki EVO team but recently split with the Italian outfit.