---
title: "Pedrosa ruled out of Japanese GP, Aoyama to replace"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/10/14/pedrosa-ruled-out-of-japanese-gp-aoyama-to-replace/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2016-10-14T08:53:11Z"
modified: "2016-10-14T08:55:40Z"
---

# Pedrosa ruled out of Japanese GP, Aoyama to replace

Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa has been ruled out of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix from the Twin Ring Motegi after suffering a fracture to his right collarbone in a crash in practice.

The Spaniard was flicked from his factory RC213V at Turn 11 during the second free practice session this afternoon, landing heavily on his shoulder. He will fly back to Spain to undergo treatment, but with three races in three weeks his participation in the Australian and Malaysian Grand Prix looks doubtful.

“I’m obviously very sad about what happened, as I was looking forward to racing in Japan at Honda’s home circuit and one of my favourite tracks,” Pedrosa said.

“I was on the out-lap of my last run in FP2 when I momentarily lost the rear entering turn 11, and when the tyre found grip again it launched me in the air. There’s not much more to say; now I just want to focus on recovering in order to get back on my bike as soon as possible.”

HRC have called up test rider Hiroshi Aoyama to replace Pedrosa this weekend. The Japanese was drafted in for the United States, Argentine and Spanish Grand Prix last year whilst Pedrosa underwent surgery on an arm pump problem. Aoyama replaced Karel Abraham at the AB Motoracing Honda team at the Sachsenring in 2015 too.

Though Aoyama hasn’t raced in MotoGP for over a year, Motegi is a circuit very familiar to him. He is a double winner at the circuit in the 250cc class and has a best result of ninth in the premier class. As Aoyama’s usual number seven plate is in use by Avintia’s Mike Jones, the Honda rider will use 73 instead.

“First of all, I’m very sorry for Dani and I wish him a fast recovery,” said Aoyama. “This definitely is not the best way to come into a race, but anyway, I’ll try and give my best for Honda in front of my friends and fans. I won’t be able to use my racing number, as 7 has already been taken by Mike Jones, so I’ll use 73, which is the number I used in my first season in the 250cc GPs.”