Broc Parkes, Kawasaki WSBK team rider was hurt a 120mph accident at Snetterton in the UK during testing on Monday this week and suffering several painful but minor injuries to his face, arm, wrist, knee, and he also pushed his collar bone out of position.
Parkes underwent an operation to insert a screw in his shoulder to hold it in place for six weeks, but as he will not be 100% fit for Assen, he has opted to spend the next couple of weeks recuperating in readiness for the subsequent Monza race, plus the Kyalami and Miller rounds, which follow on soon afterwards in May.
Former WSS rider Stuart Easton will take Parkes place.
Stuart is the team’s development and test rider and owner Paul Bird called him for this event.
Team owner Paul Bird said: “When it became apparent that Broc couldn’t ride this weekend, I had no reservations about calling Stuart to deputise and he will be a more than able replacement this weekend.
He knows the bike and works well with the team but there is absolutely no pressure on him at all.
”“I couldn’t believe it when the call came in from Paul, I didn’t need to be asked twice, that’s for sure! It’s a brilliant opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to working with the team in a race environment rather than just testing” said Easton.