Loris Capirossi to miss home race

Loris Capirossi has been forced to withdraw from his home race in Mugello this weekend.

The Italian veteran broke two ribs and dislocated his right shoulder in Assen last weekend but it was initially thought he would be declared fit to compete on home soil this weekend.

But one of the broken ribs was so badly damaged that he risked serious injury if he rode his Pramac Ducati GP11 this weekend.

Pramac Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini said: “We found two fractures pretty serious and one, above all, that would put at serious risk health of the rider if he decides to get on track. There is, in fact, the risk that the bone can come into contact with the organs and cause serious damage to Loris and for all these reasons we decided to forfeit this race.”

Capirossi has endured a nightmare return to Ducati in 2011 and he said: “I’m obviously very disappointed and angry. I was hoping I could get on track for this race, but the double fracture of the ninth and tenth ribs and distorting the AC joint injury forced me to raise the white flag for the first time in my career for Mugello. I’m sorry for the many fans that will be at Mugello, the track to which they are emotionally closest. I have many fond memories of this track and I wanted to turn my season around at this circuit. Now I will have to rest, sit still for at least two weeks and try to get back on track as soon as possible.”

Pramac hasn’t replaced the triple world champion and will be represented by Frenchman Randy de Puniet this weekend in round eight of the 2011 MotoGP world championship.