In a quite outstanding game of musical chairs, former Red Devils Aprilia World Superbike rider Michel Fabrizio has this morning been confirmed as Jonathan Rea's replacement at Pata Honda for the foreseeable future.
The Italian has split with his team after a falling out and will make his debut at the Istanbul round this weekend. His space at Aprilia will be filled by former MotoGP rider Toni Elias after he left the Blusens Avintia Moto2 team.
"I am very happy to come back to the Honda CBR after my earlier experience with the DFX Honda Team. To race with the Ten Kate boys in the Pata Honda team is a real honour for me and, of course, I will do my best to get Jonathan’s machine near to the front," said Fabrizio.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Jonathan a fast recovery from his injury and I would like to thank the whole Honda Superbike team for their hard work to fix the bike in time for me to race in Istanbul."