Nico Canepa has joined the Grillini Kawasaki team for the rest of this year’s World Superbike Championship season just a week after his Hero EBR team were forced to withdraw from the championship.

The Italian, who will turn 27 in a week, found himself without a rider after the fourth event of the year at Assen but Christophe Ponsson’s switch to Team Pedercini left an empty seat within Andrea Grillini’s squad and opened the door to Canepa's arrival.

“I’m glad for this opportunity, which came at the very last minute. After all that happened recently, I’m looking forward to contest the rest of the season with Team Grillini,” said Canepa.

“It won’t be easy as I’ve never ridden the ZX-10R and I’m yet to know the team, but I will do my very best here and on every other track. I would really like to thank Andrea Grillini for this chance to stay in the series.”