Kenny to miss three races, replacements announced.

Kenny Roberts Jr. has been ruled out of the next three races following medical tests on his elbow injury, sustained in a first turn pile-up at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday (top picture).

Roberts suffered burns and dislocated his left elbow after being caught up in the incident, with the latter proving the most troublesome despite the joint being promptly relocated at the track.

On returning home from Japan, Kenny attended Dr Art Ting's clinic in San Francisco where closer investigation revealed ligament damage that will mean he will not be fit to race again until the final round of the 2004 season, the Valencia Grand Prix, on October 31.

Team-mate John Hopkins was also an innocent victim of the same accident, which eliminated six riders after Loris Capirossi lost control of his Ducati heading into the first tight corner of the Motegi circuit.

Hopkins suffered broken ribs and a gash to his buttocks and has been undergoing intensive laser treatment in England. Although inevitably still in pain, he has pledged to race at Qatar next weekend.

Joining Hopkins at the Qatar and Malaysian GPs will be factory favourite Yukio Kagayama (middle pic), who claimed third place in the British Superbike championship for Rizla Suzuki at last weekend's Donington Park season finale.

Meanwhile, at the following Australian Grand Prix, full-time Suzuki MotoGP test rider Gregorio Lavilla (lower pic) will ride the second GSV-R alongside 21-year-old Hopkins.