Canepa sidelined and replaced by Polita at Brno

Red Devils Roma rider Niccolò Canepa will not be present at the Czech Round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend at Brno, after suffering a temporary facial paralysis called Bell's palsy. In this condition Canepa is clearly unable to race and his place in the team has been taken by Alex Polita.

Polita, 2006 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup winner and 2010 Italian Superbike champion has already raced a Ducati 1198R in the Italian and World Superbike series, taking part as a wild-card. Following a disappointing experience in British Superbike, "The Pirate" has accepted this opportunity from Andrea Petricca's team and will line up on the grid at Brno.

"I had a high fever at Aragon, which totally drained me in race 2," said Canepa, "and a few days later I had a paralysis from a viral attack. Unfortunately I cannot close my eyelid and riding a bike in this condition would be dangerous. The doctors told me that in a few days the symptoms will vanish and everything will be back to normal, but for the moment I have to abandon any thoughts of going to Brno. I'm happy that Alex Polita will be on my bike so best of luck to him. I know he's had his own difficult moments this year and it's right that he has a chance to race again. As for me I'll try and get the best treatment so I can return to the track in time for the next round at Silverstone at the start of August".