Quarter-liter ace Mattia Pasini will ride Mika Kallio's vacated Pramac Ducati (above) this coming Monday at the MotoGP team test.
It would seem the days of coming from Superbikes to MotoGP could quickly be completely behind us. These days the path to MotoGP is without question through that of the two-stroke 125cc and 250cc GP ranks. With the exception of current WSBK rookie Ben Spies, all of the rumors of newcomers on their way up to the premiere GP class for 2010 are coming in the form of lower-level GP youngsters.
And the latest to get a shot is current 250cc GP front-runner Mattia Pasini. He will fill in for Mika Kallio (another former 125cc and 250cc GP rider) on the Pramac Ducati team, as Kallio is currently filling in for the sick Casey Stoner on the Marlboro Ducati squad. Pasini will test for the Ducati satellite team the Monday following this weekend’s Czech GP in what is undoubtedly a tryout for a full-time position next year. It’s no secret Pramac’s other current rider Niccolo Canepa has floundered at the back of the pack all season and it’s very unlikely he will retain his spot in the big leagues next year.
The following is a press release issued by the Pramac Ducati team
This coming Monday, August 17th, during Brno test, Italian rider Mattia Pasini will make his debut on the Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP9. Mattia will use the bike left available by Mika Kallio who has joined Ducati Marlboro Team for the upcoming three races.
Paolo Campinoti - Pramac Racing Team Principal
"This idea has come out together with Ducati after that Mika's bike would have remained without a rider in the box after that the Finnish has joined Ducati Marlboro Team for the next three races. Mattia has demonstrated during this season to deserve this opportunity and for these reasons we’re happy and proud to have him with us even if for only one day."
Mattia Pasini -
"I want to thanks Ducati, Pramac Racing and his Team Principal Paolo Campinoti who are giving me this magnificent opportunity to try their bike in Brno on Monday. It will be an important test for me as I will have the possibility to understand if I will be able to ride a MotoGP bike. I always liked difficult challenges and I am ready also for this one."
