Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) has been confirmed as having to miss his home race at Silverstone and the following Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini after a crash in a free practice for the Oschersleben 8H endurance race left the British rider with an injured thigh. Initially fearing a break, it was later confirmed that there was no fracture, but Smith underwent surgery on the laceration sustained and has now confirmed his absence from the Octo British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and the back-to-back visit to Misano.
PATA Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team rider Alex Lowes recently tested the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine at the one day official test following the Czech GP, with the Brit given the opportunity as a reward for his win for Yamaha in the prestigious Suzuka 8H - alongside Tech 3's Pol Espargaro. Lowes will now be the replacement for Smith at the back-to-back British and San Marino GPs, joining his brother Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) in the MotoGP™ paddock.