Just three days ago it seemed that Aprilia would be fielding three bikes for this weekend’s race at Portimaom instead Shinya Nakano has decided that he would not be present for the final round as his neck injury is still not fully healed.
Nakano missed Race 2 at Nurburgring and the last two rounds due to neck pain and was substituted by Marco Simoncelli at Imola and BSB 2009 Champion Leon Camier at Magny-Cours.
Camier is now at Portimao subbing for Nakano and was 17th in the first free practice while Max Biaggi was 13th.
According to the Japanese rider, who has struggled to come to terms with the all new Aprilia superbike and match team mate Max Biaggi’s performances on the RSV-4 Factory, felt that the long journey from Japan to Portugal with three days of riding would be too difficult.
This also means that Nakano will miss the two day post race tests at Portimao that take place next week.
Aprilia has yet to confirm Nakano for the 2010 season.