Two World Superbike Champions will miss Cremona
Today at 04:28 AM
For the opening World Superbike races at Cremona, both Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea have been sidelined with injuries.
After getting injured two weeks ago at the French World Superbike (WorldSBK) Round at Magny-Cours, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea will miss the Italian World Superbike Round.
Razgatlioglu, the 2024 Championship leader, was declared unfit on Wednesday as he continues to recover from mild traumatic pneumothorax. The Turkish rider will be replaced by Markus Reiterberger at Cremona.
After being ruled out of this weekend's action Razgatlioglu said: "I would have loved to be back on track in Cremona, but the recovery of the mild pneumothorax is taking longer than I initially hoped. It's important that I make a full recovery, and my goal now is to return on my BMW M 1000 RR at the next race weekend at MotorLand Aragon. But we need to wait and take it step by step.
"One thing is certain: as soon as possible and when my health allows, I will re-join the Championship fight! I'll be rooting for my team at Cremona, and I hope to see the BMW M 1000 RR at the front and on the podium. A big thanks to everyone who's been supporting me through this tough time – we'll see each other back on the track soon!"
Rea, the six-time WorldSBK Champion, has also been declared unfit for this weekend. The Northern Irish rider had surgery on his hand at Magny-Cours, which required surgery. The #65 has decided to focus on his recovery rather than race at Cremona this weekend. Rea will be replaced by the recently retired Endurance World Championship rider, Nicolo Canepa.
On Instagram, Rea said: "I'm disappointed having to sit out this weekend in Cremona. After speaking with Dr Antonie Martens who performed the surgery in France and Dr Michael McBride who is following my case at home in Belfast, both insist that the tendon graft and skin grafts on my right thumb need a little more time to heal and avoid any setbacks. I am doing everything at home to be back at 100% as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone who is standing with me during this tough time."
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