Source: Supplied.

Australian rider Damian Cudlin will replace the injured Alex de Angelis in the Grand Prix of Australia and Malaysia, the Team e-motion Iodaracing squad has announced.

Team regular de Angelis remains hospitalised in the intensive care unit at the Dokkyo University Hospital in Mibu following his practice incident at Motegi last weekend.

“First and foremost, I want to wish Alex de Angelis a full and speedy recovery from his injuries,” Cudlin commented. “It was a nice surprise for me to receive an offer from Team e-motion Iodaracing, although,if I’m honest, I was a bit hesitant to replace Alex under these circumstances.

“But after hearing the positive news of Alex’s recovery progress, we agreed to do it and I couldn’t be more excited to be riding in MotoGP again. Obviously, it won’t be easy for me and I’m not expecting any miracles.

“I just want to do the job that I’m there for – give the team good feedback, try and stay upright, and get us to the finish. I really want to thank the Team e-motion Iodaracing for the opportunity and I can’t wait to throw my leg over a MotoGP bike again!”

This will be Cudlin’s third Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix weekend in the premier class of MotoGP after he had previously ridden for Pramac Ducati in 2011 and PBM in 2013. He joins Jack Miller (LCR Honda) and Anthony West (AB Motoracing) as locals in the field.