Pedrosa: out, Aoyama: in for Repsol Honda
Dani Pedrosa still unfit to race at Assen as HRC look to Hiroshi Aoyama to take his seat at Assen
STILL suffering from the damages to his shoulder Dani Pedrosa will likely miss a third MotoGP round as Hiroshi Aoyama will find himself promoted to the factory team at Assen.
Missing both the Catalunya and Silverstone races Pedrosa is still recovering from the break to his collarbone suffered at Le Mans, alongside a supposed training incident that took place whilst healing.
Writing on his personal blog on the Repsol Honda website, Pedrosa discussed missing another race and stepping further away from his title chances: “I'd love to know if I will be able to participate or not at Assen, but it's something I can’t yet know. The recovery is somewhat slower than anticipated at the beginning and I am just continuing to take it day by day.”
“It is still a week away and I don’t know how I’ll be in a few days. I am a bit resigned because I really wanted to recover enough to race again, but the progress of the injury isn’t responding to my desire and will. I'm doing everything I can to recover and I am following medical instructions one hundred per cent. I hope that next Monday I’ll be able to tell you something!” concluded the Repsol Honda rider.
Leaving an open seat on the factory RC212V for the last two races, HRC will substitute the Spaniard at Assen giving Hiro Aoyama a promotion to the Repsol Honda outfit. The last 250GP champion was thankful to both HRC and his current employer for the opportunity to compete in the factory colours.
The seat vacated at Gresini Honda will be taken by HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi. The current Japanese Superbike Champion has previously substituted for Suzuki and in the place of Aoyama in the Interwetten team last year when the Japanese rider injured his back.
