After Monday’s medical check up at Melbourne hospital Niccolò Canepa is unluckily obligated to miss the Malaysian race to be able to recover at the best and ride in the season final race at Valencia. The Italian rider, after the skin transplant done on Friday, will have to maintain the injured arm at rest so that the cut will not open again and it will not risk any infections. To take his place in the Pramac Racing Team there will be Aleix Espargarò who has already ridden for the Team this season in two occasions (Indianapolis and Misano). The Catalan rider will have another occasion to get ready to compete in MotoGP next season with the Pramac Racing Team after that he has signed the contract at the beginning of this month. Fabiano Sterlacchini – Pramac Racing Technical Director “We are very sorry for Niccolò. He really cared to do well in these last races of the season but due to his physical condition maybe this is the best solution. The cut was really deep and in a delicate area of the arm: under pressure it could have open easily causing more problems. We wish him to get well soon: we’ll wait for him in Valencia for the last round of the season. Taking his place there will be in the team once again Espargarò. Our future rider will have therefore the occasion to accumulate more experience for next year. Mika, in the other side of the garage, is really eager and determined in this part of the season. In the last two races he was doing really well but luck wasn’t on his side: in Sepang and Valencia we are sure that he will be able to achieve positive performances.” Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing rider “I like Sepang circuit even if it is one of the few circuits where in the two years in 250cc I couldn’t manage to step on the podium. In 125cc instead I made it to conquer the second position in more than one occasion. I will try to do well this year with the hope that luck will be by my side after what happened in Phillip Island last weekend when I was battling for a good placement. During winter testing I didn’t perform so well here, but now that I have achieved more experience I am trustful to be able to do better.” Niccolò Canepa – Pramac Racing rider “I am really sorry to don’t be able to ride in Malaysia. With the Team we were working really well and in the last few races I wanted to conquer a good placement. Doctors have suggested me to don’t take any risks as the cut isn’t looking too good and therefore I will be taking a break to be at the best in Valencia next month. I still feel a lot of pain but now the worst has passed. I hope that Mika and Aleix will be able to conquer good results for the Pramac Racing Team.” Aleix Espargarò – Pramac Racing rider “I am very surprised and happy to be back in MotoGP so early even if I am always sad when a colleague gets hurt. I wish Niccolò to get well as soon as possible and be at the best for Valencia race. I will take this weekend as a pre season test: I have a lot to learn and this will be a great occasion for me. After the last race ridden in Misano I have constantly trained and I am sure to be in good physical condition even if in Sepang is always really hard due to the high temperatures and humidity.”