Ducati satellite group Pramac Racing welcomes Italian competitor Michel Fabrizio into their standings for this weekend’s Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix as a replacement for Finland’s Mika Kallio.

As Casey Stoner’s ongoing health issues puts the Aussie competitor out for the next three sessions, Kallio has charged up into the squad on a momentary basis, enabling the 24 year-old Fabrizio to make a comeback to MotoGP racing.

Fabrizio, who now competes for Ducati in superbikes, was spending time in the 125cc session with Gilera in 2002, competed for Aprilia in MotoGP racing in 2004 and endured his final World Championship showing in Germany with a Honda in 2007.

“I want to thank Ducati and Pramac for this gift,” Fabrizio explains. “Brno is my favorite track and therefore the right place to come back riding a MotoGP 800cc bike after the last time at Sachsenring two years ago. I know that I can’t expect too much because the GP9 is so different compared to my 1198 F09. The priority is to have some fun and enjoy a different weekend for me. I also want to wish all the best to Casey to be back in top form as soon as possible!”

Pramac Racing Team Principal Paolo Campinoti stated, “As soon as we found out that Casey wouldn’t ride for the next three races at Brno, Indianapolis and Misano, together with Ducati Corse managerial staff we decided that our rider Mika Kallio would ride with the Ducati factory team due to the good results he has achieved with us.”

“So we were looking for a valid substitute for Kallio and Ducati’s proposal to take Michel Fabrizio was the optimal choice. Although he is still young Michel has great experience and we believe he can get good results.”