Chris Vermeulen has decided not to take part in the opening WSBK round at Phillip Island and will be replaced by 39-year old Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki’s test rider.
Vermeulen has been struggling for year to recover from his knee injury and the subsequent two surgeries after his crash during race two at Phillip Island.
The Aussie tried to take part in the massive Kawasaki test at Sepang, in the middle of January, but managed to ride for only a few laps of the first day before pain and swelling in his knee forced him to pull out of the test and further concentrate on his physical rehab.
Vermeulen and his doctors are hoping that with another four weeks of treatment and training he’ll be 100% fit for the Donington Park round.