After missing last weekend’s San Marino GP because of a positive Covid-19 test, Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will unfortunately also have to sit out the Gran Premio TISSOT dell'Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini after testing positive again in the lead up to the second race at Misano.
In Martin’s continued absence, the Red Bull KTM Ajo team have acquired the services of Mattia Pasini. The Italian has extensive experience in the World Championship and in Moto2™ and knows the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli well, having won there in 125cc and taken a podium in 250cc. He will partner Tetsuta Nagashima on home soil this weekend.
Mattia Pasini: “I'm very happy to be back on track, especially with it being at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, my home race. I'm very sorry about what Jorge Martin is going through. I hope he can come back soon and in the meantime I will look after his bike well. I want to thank Red Bull KTM Ajo for giving me this opportunity, I am sure it will be a nice weekend. I want to enjoy this round, do a professional job and try to take progressive steps forward. I will work hard to bring home a good result.”
Tetsuta Nagashima: “It was a pity not to be able to finish the race at Misano, as my feeling was good and we were in an optimal position. Luckily this week we have a new opportunity at the same track, where we hope to take a great leap forward and be able to fight with those at the front. We are going to work very hard to make it happen. Contesting two rounds at a single circuit is a good thing for me in this case, because after the mistake we made last Sunday we now have a second attempt to try to get a strong result.”