RABAT TO MAKE MOTOGP RETURN

Pramac Ducati has announced Esteve ‘Tito’ Rabat will sub in for the injured Jorge Martin at Jerez for the fourth round of MotoGP on May 1-2.

Martin was injured during a violent crash in free practice on Saturday in the lead up to the Portuguese Grand Prix.

The Doha GP podium finisher was sent barrel rolling through the gravel after he was flung from his Ducati.

Martin underwent surgery at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona to fix the fractures to his left tibial plate, right malleolus and right thumb metacarpal.

“The three operations have gone perfectly,” Jorge Martin said on Instagram “Thanks to doctors Mir, Jimeno, Campillo, Monllau and their teams.

“The countdown begins!”

It is hoped that the rookie sensation – who took pole in just his second ever MotoGP race – will be back for Round 5, the French Grand Prix at Le Mans on May 16.

Tito Rabat to make MotoGP return – Image: Motorsport Images

In his place will be former Moto2 champion and MotoGP rider Rabat, who last raced in motorcycle racing’s top-tier with the satellite Avintia Esponsorama Racing Ducati team.

Through his previous experience, the Spaniard is accustomed to the powerful Italian bike and gets the nod over Ducati test rider Michele Pirro as he will complete a private test at Mugello, near the marque’s Bologna headquarters on April 29-30.

In total the Spaniard has a total of five MotoGP seasons under his belt, with a best Grand Prix result of seventh place.

This year Rabat will compete in the World Superbike Championship racing for the Ducati Barni Racing Team.

The WSBK season kicks off a week after the MotoGP round, and will also take place in Spain.

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