Yamaha have drafted in test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga to replace Jorge Lorenzo for this weekend's Sepang MotoGP round as the All-Japan Superbike star has experience with the tricky Bridgestone tyres.

Former World Champion Lorenzo received an injury to the ring finger of his left hand during the Sunday morning warm up session prior to the Grand Prix of Australia. He has since received surgical treatment and is now recovering at home in Barcelona.

Yamaha clearly didn't believe that their two contracted World Superbike riders, who were second and equal-third respectively in this year's series, had the measure of MotoGP so Eugene Laverty is currently trying to find a parking space in Albufeira while Marco Melandri is nestling, if he has any sense....