MotoE race winner Nicholas Spinelli subs for injured Danilo Petrucci for Assen WorldSBK

16/04/2024 14:42

MotoE World Championship race winner Nicholas Spinelli has been called up to deputise for the injured Danilo Petrucci in the Barni Spark Racing Ducati team for Round 3 of the 2024 WorldSBK Championship at Assen.

The Italian will make his debut in the category after ex-MotoGP rider Petrucci suffered injuries in a motocross training accident in the break between events.

Though it will be Spinelli's first outing at WorldSBK level, he enjoyed a podium-winning turn in WorldSSP last season with VFT Racing and is a two-time race winner on the grand prix stage in MotoE.

"I am so sorry for Danilo's accident and I wish him a speedy recovery, but I am really happy with this call," Spinelli, who has previously raced with Barni Spark Racing in the domestic CIV Italian series', said. 

"Racing with the guys of Superbike is a dream come true, I will try my best to do well and enjoy this experience. 

"A big thank you to Marco Barnabo and the whole team who still believe in me after the season we had together."

Petrucci, meanwhile, will turn his attentions to making a return to WorldSBK action at Round 4 at Misano in June.

"I'm truly disappointed about this injury. I was in great shape, felt I could achieve good results, and was training even harder. I'd never had to skip a race due to a motocross accident, but I won't be at Assen. 

"With the plates they've inserted, I wouldn't even be able to put on my helmet. In agreement with the doctors, we decided to operate on the clavicle too. I want to be there for the Misano tests at the end of May."

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