Toni Elias replaces Hector Barbera at Laguna Seca

Toni Elias will replace injured compatriot Hector Barbera on the Pramac Ducati GP12 in this weekend’s US MotoGP round at Laguna Seca.

Barbera is currently recovering from a double break in his left leg after a training accident last Friday ruled him out for between four and six weeks.

Barbera’s Pramac Ducati team has called up Elias to replace him in California this weekend, marking a shock return to MotoGP action for the 2010 Moto2 world champion.

Since Elias captured the inaugural Moto2 title for Gresini Racing, his career has suffered a rapid decline.

He endured a disastrous 2011 MotoGP campaign with Lucio Cecchinello’s satellite Honda squad and after failing to rediscover his form in the high profile Aspar Moto2 squad this season, he parted company with Jorge Martinez’s outfit after the last race in Mugello.

His previous experience though of MotoGP and Bridgestone tyres means he got the nod to replace Barbera over American former Moto2 rider Kenny Noyes, who was contracted by Pramac to be its replacement rider.

Elias rode for Pramac Ducati back in 2008 and scored two podiums in Brno and Misano.

For full coverage of the Laguna Seca MotoGP round, see the August 1 issue of Motor Cycle News.