MotoGP British Grand Prix

12-06-2008 17:08

Loris Capirossi has announced he will not be fit for the British MotoGP at Donington

Capirossi has been suffering from injury after suffering a serious gash to his hand and dislocated finger during the Catalunya MotoGP when he crashed after being hit by Alex de Angelis on lap 11.

His place will be taken by American Superbikes champion Ben Spies.

Capirossi, 35, is a former world champion in the 125cc and 250cc classes, and is the most experienced rider on the MotoGP grid.

He moved over to Suzuki from the Italian Ducati teamat the end of last season taking over the ride vacated by John Hopkins.

Spies was set to sample MotoGP after taking a wildcard ride for Suzuki when the MotoGP championship goes to America, but has now his debut has been brought forward.

Spies told the press he was excited that his first GP was to be at Laguna Seca in the States, but was now even more excited by this development. Adding he thought this will be a good thing to start out at Donington as it was a track he was unfamiliar with sothere would be no pressure.