A plan by racing legend Mike Edwards to take part in the 848 Challenge at Misano World Ducati Weekend has been scuppered by officials who insist he must do one lap in qualifying before he could take to the grid on Sunday.

Edwards had planned to fly out to the Italian track, take part in practice, come back for his daughter's college prize day and then jump back on a plane to make the race but the officials are having none of it.

“I was fully prepared to race my heart out from the back of the grid to try and get decent results for the Öhlins P&H Motorcycles bike on Sunday, I thought it’d be workable – we’ve even booked the return flight from Leeds to get me back into Italy late on Saturday night," said Edwards.

“Obviously, I’m a bit sad at the thought of missing such a momentous event as Ducati World Weekend, but hey, one thing’s for sure, there’ll always be another motorcycle race, but there’ll only be one daughter’s prize giving."

Edwards has found a substitute rider in the shape of Claire ‘Lily’ Myler whom he has been coaching. She is married to the northerner's nephew, himself an 848 Challenge competitor, and she will ride Edwards' number 121 at the weekend. The Misano event is likely to be unique in the respect that with Mr. and Mrs. Jordan riding, for the first time in solo racing, two married couples will be competing on track together.