MotoGP: Chaz Davies denied Brno MotoGP chance

British rider Chaz Davies has been denied the chance to deputise for injured D’Antin Ducati rider Alex Hofmann in next weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP race in Brno.
 
Chaz Davies had been told by Spaniard Luis D’Antin to be on standby for the Brno clash on August 19, 2007 after he impressed as a last minute replacement for German Hofmann in last month’s American MotoGP race in Laguna Seca.

But the former Aprilia Germany 250 GP rider found out yesterday (Wednesday) that a second chance on a factory spec Ducati GP7 would instead be handed to Ivan Silva, who is the nominated replacement rider for the D’Antin squad.

Although Chaz Davies was scheduled to race for his Celtic Yamaha squad in an AMA round at the Virginia International Raceway on the same weekend as Brno, his team had given him clearance to accept a D’Antin offer to partner Alex Barros again.

But Chaz Davies was informed by e-mail yesterday that his services won’t be required and he told MCN from New York today: “It’s a shame because I was hoping to get another go.

“To be honest it seemed a dead cert when I left Laguna but I guess things have changed and that’s fair enough. But it would have been good because I like Brno and I would have had the experience of riding the bike in Laguna.

“I’m sure the bike would be good at a fast track like Brno where there’s no real tight stuff and you could have really used the power of the GP7.

“My team in America was fantastic about it and they told me they would not stand in my way if I got another opportunity so I’m grateful to them for that.

“I’ve had a taste of riding an 800 in Laguna and I was looking forward to having another go in Brno, but hopefully it won’t be the last chance I get to ride in MotoGP.”

Alex Hofmann meanwhile has targeted a return to action in the Misano MotoGP race in early September as he continues to recover from the serious left hand injury he suffered in Laguna Seca.