Last Tuesday, Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) was successfully operated on after suffering an intraarticular fracture displaced from the distal radius in his left arm.
The initial objective was for him to be able to compete at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, but the Spanish rider will unable to recover in time to compete at Round 3 of the season and will be replaced by the experienced Mattia Pasini.
Sito Pons, Team Principal: “It's a shame Augusto's injury and not being able to have him with us in Austin. We had started the season very well and a rider doesn't like to miss a Grand Prix, but as not taking more risks than necessary it is better to preserve its good recovery in order to be able to face the Spanish Grand Prix in full physical condition. We have thought in Mattia Pasini, an experienced rider who has already shown himself to be very fast in the Moto2 class, so we welcome him to this weekend and we will work together to achieve a good result.”
Mattia Pasini: “First of all, no rider likes to replace another due to injury, so I want to send Augusto Fernandez a lot of encouragement and wish him a speedy recovery. But thinking in race mode, I am very happy to be able to run in the Sito Pons team. I feel very honoured for this opportunity and I hope I can do a good job this weekend. Grateful and eager to get on the bike.”