Mika Kallio's race-ending fall in the Dutch Grand Prix has proven to cost the Finn more than just sixth place on the final lap at Assen. Injuries sustained in the accident mean that the 26-year-old suffered permanent damage to a finger, which is enough to put him out of this weekend's American Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.
With the Pramac rider a victim of extreme frustration after falling and losing a hard-fought sixth place on the final lap in Holland nine days ago, what was unknown at the time was that Kallio had badly hurt the ring finger of his left hand, which was burnt down to the bone, meaning that no nail will ever grow back. Although his nervous system remains unaffected and full movement of the finger is imminent, the only Finnish rider in the field will be forced to sit out this weekend.
"I was so excited to race in Laguna Seca but I guess destiny wanted to be this way and I will have to renounce," said a dejected Mika. "It's a pity. We have taken this decision together with Pramac Racing managers and I think this is probably the best solution; Laguna would have been a new circuit to learn for me and, with precarious physical conditions, we thought it would have been too risky. I will look after myself in the best way possible to be in good form at the Sachsenring which, by the way, is one of my favourite circuits of the World Championship."
With no replacement found, the Pramac team will be running just one bike in the States for Italian team-mate Canepa. "I wish all the best to Niccolò, who will have to do well for the Pramac Team this weekend," Kallio added.
Series
MotoGP
Personalities
Mika Kallio
Teams
Pramac Racing
Other
Get your official MotoGP tickets at Sportstadium.com
| Mika Kallio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| More Mika Kallio photos | |||
English
Nederlands
Español
Italiano
