Aleix Espargaro to replace Niccolo Canepa in Sepang

Spaniard Aleix Espargaro will get another chance to gain crucial experience ahead of his first full MotoGP campaign in 2010 during this weekend’s Malaysian GP at Sepang. 

Espargaro, who will ride for the Pramac Ducati squad next season, will replace injured Niccolo Canepa after the Italian’s big practice crash during last weekend’s Australian GP at Phillip Island. 

Espargaro was placed on standby once the severity of a puncture wound in Canepa’s right arm became clear after he slid off at high-speed at Phillip Island’s perilously fast first corner.  

Canepa’s bid to be fit for this weekend’s Sepang race has failed with the risk of infection to his right arm injury significantly increased in the gruelling Malaysia heat and humidity.

Canepa will be back for his MotoGP farewell in the season’s final race in Valencia on November 8.

Espargaro will join Mika Kallio full-time in 2010 having impressed when he rode a Pramac GP9 in the Indianapolis and Misano races earlier this season.