Ignite Ducati's Ben Spies will not be back in the MotoGP paddock until he is 100 per cent recovered from the shoulder injury that has plagued him all season after having to pull out of this weekend's Mugello round this morning.
The former World Superbike Champion said this afternoon he will only make a return when he is fully fit and will undergo an intensive test, which will probably over two days on a Superbike, before he is re-united with his GP13.
"It's difficult but we can only do what we can do. I have said it before but I showed up with every intention of doing the best with what we have. I had a couple of moments on the track where I quickly realised it is not the time yet. There is no way to be able to ride at full potential and I don't want to involve anyone in a mistake that is down to me," said Spies, speaking at Mugello.
"Yesterday I almost clanged myself and I don't want to do that to any other riders. It's frusrating for me, the fans, the team but right now it is out of my control. This is one of the injuries where you can't just take a cast off or have a plate put in and in two weeks you will be ok.
"With this we don't know and it has taken longer than expected and obviously way longer than I wanted. All I can do is work to get it 100 per cent but what that timescale is we don't know. It's not going to happen right now, that's for sure but hopefull it is sooner rather than later.
"I am talking about riding a bike before I come back. Obviously, it won't be a GP bike but doing an intense test, a two-day test on a racebike, to know where it is. The best way is to come back when it is 100 per cent and not rush things. There's no need too as we're not in any kind of rush for the championship. I am going to come back when it is time when it is 100 per cent."