Young Spaniard Aleix Espargaro will return to MotoGP this weekend, filling in for Niccolo Canepa on the Pramac Racing Team to make his third MotoGP start of the season.

Espargaro, who has signed for the team fulltime next season, has been called in to replace Canepa after the Italian injured his arm in a high-speed fall at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix last weekend.

“I am very surprised and happy to be back in MotoGP so early even if I am always sad when a colleague gets hurt,” said Canepa. “I wish Niccolo to get well as soon as possible and be at the best for Valencia race. I will take this weekend as a pre season test, I have a lot to learn and this will be a great occasion for me.

“After the last race ridden in Misano I have constantly trained and I am sure to be in good physical condition even if in Sepang is always really hard due to the high temperatures and humidity.”

Canepa expects to return for the final round at Valencia next month.