Michele Pirro is to miss the forthcoming Silverstone round of the World Supersport Championship, with his place at Hannspree Ten Kate Honda going to South African teenager Ronan Quarmby.
Pirro crashed heavily during round nine of the series at Brno in the Czech Republic last Sunday, sustaining a fracture to the bridge of his nose and a dislocated wrist.
"I think that Michele is lucky that he wasn't more badly hurt in what looked like a very nasty crash last weekend. However, it is still a shame for him that he will have to miss the Silverstone round," said team manager Ronald ten Kate.
Pirro's 19-year-old replacement Quarmby contested the South African round at Kyalami in May on a Ten Kate-prepared Honda, running in the top ten during free practice and qualifying.
Quarmby was unfortunately forced to withdraw from race after a rare bone condition was diagnosed following a scan on his left femur.
Following an operation, which included injecting cement into the bone and plating almost the entire length of the femur, Quarmby has fought his way back to fitness and was given a clean bill of health two weeks ago.
"Ronan showed quite some pace in the early sessions at Kyalami and we were surprised to hear that he was forced to withdraw," said ten Kate. "He has worked hard to make a good recovery, though, and we are happy to give him this opportunity to show what he can do at Silverstone.
"Besides this race, we also made an agreement for Ronan to contest a couple of subsequent World Supersport rounds as a wild-card rider on one of the Ten Kate Racing Products customer machines, so this is a great chance for him."
Quarmby feels sorry for Pirro, but is naturally looking forward to making the most of his big chance.
"I feel very sorry for Michele. I saw the crash at Brno and it looked pretty bad. It's never ideal to get a ride because of another rider's injury and I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery," he said.
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