The Assen round is approaching, next week the Superbike will take to the track for the third round of the season, but Danilo Petrucci will not be there, who a few days ago fell during a motocross training session in Cingoli, suffering a fracture of the mandible and scapula. His presence in the Netherlands was immediately questioned, but now there is certainty: Petrux will not be there, but Barni has announced his replacement.
Nicholas Spinelli, a well-known name in the World Championship, will race in Assen, but in the Supersport 600 class. The Italian, veteran of the CIV, has never raced in Superbike and the Dutch round will represent the debut in the premier class for Spinelli, called to replace the injured compatriot riding the Panigale V4R of Marco Barnabò's team.
In the meantime, Petrucci underwent surgery to reduce the fractured jaw and it was the rider himself who updated on his condition, confirming that next week he will also have surgery on his collarbone.
“After the frightening accident with the motocross bike, which occurred last Thursday on the Cingoli (MC) course, Danilo Petrucci is forcing the steps towards his return”, we read in Barni's press release. “The surgery to reduce the double fracture in jaw, performed with the insertion of some plates, was perfectly successful; the rider from Terni will remain at the Le Torrette Hospital in Ancona until Monday to also operate on his right collarbone, fractured in the same fall. This second operation should make his recovery quicker ”.
In the note released by the Barni team, not only the recovery times are explained, but also the return forecasts: “The objective of Petrux it means being on track not only in the Misano round (14-16 June), but already in the test two weeks before. In Assen, therefore, Danilo will not be there, to replace him the Barni Spark Racing Team has chosen Nicholas Spinelli, who has already worked with the Bergamo team in 2022, winning the Italian title in the Supersport class, Nicholas will therefore make his debut in the World Superbike”.
Petrucci explains: “I'm really saddened by this injury. I was really fit, I felt I could achieve good results and that's why I was training even harder. It had never happened to me that I had to miss a race due to an accident with the cross bike, however I won't be there at Assen. With the plates they inserted I wouldn't even be able to wear a helmet. In agreement with the doctors we have also decided to operate on the collarbone, I would like to be at the Misano tests in May”.
Nicholas Spinelli will make his debut in Superbike in place of Petrucci and wishes his colleague a speedy recovery: “I'm very sorry for Danilo's accident and I hope he gets well soon, but I'm really happy with this call. Racing with the big names in Superbike is a dream come true, I will do my best to do well and enjoy this experience. A big thank you to Marco Barnabò and the whole team who still believes in me after the season we had together.”
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