MotoGP: Tito Rabat to replace injured Jorge Martin at Jerez

Pramac Racing Ducati has announced that World Superbike rider Tito Rabat will replace the injured Jorge Martin at Jerez next weekend.

Martin suffered multiple injures in a huge crash during FP3 in Portimao at the weekend. He underwent surgery at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona today (April 21) to fix the fractures to his right thumb metacarpal, right malleolus and left tibial plate.

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As a result, former MotoGP rider Rabat will make his return. Rabat lost his seat at the Avintia Ducati to Luca Marini and is due to make his WSB debut with Barni Racing Ducati at Aragon next month.

The Spaniard won the 2014 Moto2 title before spending five seasons in the premier class. Rabat’s best MotoGP result was seventh at the 2018 Argentinian Grand Prix. That year, Rabat’s career was almost ended in an horrific crash at Silverstone in wet conditions. He missed the remainder of the season but made a heroic return in 2019. Last year Rabat secured a best result of 11th at the Andalucian GP at Jerez.

 

Get well soon @88jorgemartin! Really looking forward to the #SpanishGP
Thank you @pramacracing and @ducaticorse! https://t.co/xYV1CzhGLv

— Tito Rabat (@TitoRabat) April 21, 2021

 

Rabat joins a long list of former MotoGP Ducati riders in WSB this season, including Alvaro Bautista and Scott Redding.

Normally, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro would step in to replace an injured Ducati MotoGP rider, but the Italian is taking part in ‘important’ testing at Mugello on April 29-30, to prepare for the factory’s home round.