MotoAmerica star Jake Gagne will deputise for the injured Stefan Bradl at this weekend’s French round of the World Superbike Championship.
Gagne – who finished 11th in the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with the Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda team – made his WorldSBK debut at his home round at Laguna Seca in July in place of the late Nicky Hayden.
The American, despite having to get to grips with WorldSBK electronics and Pirelli tyres, impressed in both races, taking points in each with two fifteenth-place finishes.
Bradl will sit out this weekend’s racing at Magny-Cours after suffering a scaphulonate ligament tear of his right wrist in a crash on the third lap of the opening race in Portimao.
The German, who missed race two in Portugal as a result, will undergo surgery on Thursday.
“It’s been very disappointing news,” he said.
“After crashing out of race one at Portimao, the x-rays showed n sign of injury, but the pain was strong.
“I went back to do some more tests and get different opinions by several doctors to finally find out what was wrong with my wrist.
“I did MRI and CT scans this morning and it looks like I will undergo surgery on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, this will mean that I will have to sit out the race at Magny-Cours, which again it’s very disappointing, but is is something that need to be done because right now I cannot use my wrist.
“Hopefully we will soon have some better news.”
Gagne offered his sympathies to the German, while also expressing his excitement at being offered another opportunity to race on the world stage.
“First of all I would like to wish Stefan a speedy recovery; I’ve been there before and it’s never nice to have to stay away from racing due to injury,” Gagne, who is one of the names linked with the team for 2018, said.
“Obviously I would like to thank Honda and the team for the opportunity to come back and get a second shot at World Superbike.
“Laguna Seca was a dream come true for me, and the knowledge and experience I gained from the team throughout that weekend was massive.
“It will also be nice to have some experience with this version of the Fireblade going into FP1.
“Magny-Cours is a completely new track for me, but I look forward to the challenge of racing on a new circuit and continuing to learn and grow.
“I have also never been to France, so it will be an exciting week.”
Gagne will be joined by Davide Giugliano at the team this weekend – who made his debut with Honda in Germany last month – as Takumi Takahashi has racing commitments in the All-Japan Superbike series.
