With Loris Capirossi out of this weekend’s Japanese GP due to the shoulder injury that he picked up at Aragon, Pramac Ducati has decided to replace him with Damian Cudlin.
The 29-year-old Australian’s only experience on a MotoGP bike has been limited to testing the BMW/Suter CRT bike and he’s never raced at the Twin Ring.
“I’ve dreamed about starting in MotoGP since I was a boy, and until now it’s been just that- a dream.
Now it’s become a reality and to be honest, I’m still in shock!mI’m under no illusions about how difficult this race will be.
I’ve never ridden a real MotoGP bike before and I’ve never been to Motegi either, so realistically my expectations can’t be too high.
I just want to do the best job I can, enjoy the experience, and just see what happens.
I’ve really got nothing to lose, so why not? I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this.
I still can’t believe I’ll be replacing Loris Capirossi – I had posters of him on my wall as a kid!”“I just want to thank Sito Pons for recommending me, the Pramac Racing Team for giving me a chance, and also my current BMW Team for allowing me to use this opportunity.
I hope I can make everyone proud that they took a chance with a guy like me.
”Cudlin was previously a World Endurance racer and in 2010 was the IDM German Supersport Champion, and last year also took part in the Moto2 GP race at Sachsenring, filling in for injured Axle Pons, were he finished an excellent 7th.
Capirossi is expected to return for the final three rounds, before his retirement from racing at the end of the season.
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