Canepa fails Valencia fitness test
Added on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Canepa fails Valencia fitness test
Niccolò Canepa will not get the chance for a MotoGP farewell at Valencia after failing to recover in time from the injuries that he sustained in Australia.
Canepa, who missed the round in Malaysia following a skin-graft operation after a crash at Phillip Island, had hoped to make his farewell appearance at Valencia this weekend but has pulled out on the advice of doctors.
It means that Canepa has raced for the final time in MotoGP, at least for the immediate future, after losing his ride at the Pramac Ducati team for 2010 to Spaniard Aleix Espargaro.
Easpargaro, who has ridden for the Pramac Ducati in place of both Canepa and Mika Kallio this season, will deputise again for Canepa this weekend.
“I am very sad as I will not be able to step on track this weekend at Valencia,” said the Italian. “I really cared about competing in this last Grand Prix of the season to end it with a good result. I want to thank the Pramac Racing Team, Paolo Campinoti and Ducati Corse for this fantastic experience I have lived. Now I will have to think about getting back at the best physical conditions and go back on track whichever will be my next sport adventure.”
Team manager Paolo Campinoti gave thanks to Canepa’s efforts in what has been another tough year for the satellite Ducati team.
“We are very sad that Niccolò will not make it to race with us this last Grand Prix of the season,” he added. “Last year he has done a quite good job here during the first winter test and he could have achieved a good result also in this occasion. We would like to thank him for the work done this year and we wish him the best of luck for a future rich of success whichever road he will take. He is a talented rider who has to accumulate more experience to come back at the top level.”
