Carlos Checa and Pramac Racing have confirmed that Checa will be replacing Mika Kallio for the final two rounds of the MotoGP, starting this weekend at Estoril.Checa, who just finished up the 2010 World Superbike season, will be replacing an ailing Kallio. Kallio decided to leave the Pramac racing team after the Phillip Island round in order to recover from a shoulder injury.
“I’ll take it as an opportunity. I want to use this to gain experience and enjoy it too. My sole aim is to adapt as quickly as I can,” said Checa. “It’s a great challenge. I’ve only been able to do a small test at Mugello and the people I will be up against in these two races will have had 16 races this season. They’ll know the tires, which I won’t, and obviously the bikes they’re riding.”
Checa last rode in the MotoGP in 2007 at Valencia. He recently finished third in the World Superbike series aboard a Ducati 1098R. For the final two MotoGP sessions, Checa will be riding a Ducati GP10.
“The bike has great power, the tires have improved greatly especially the rear ones. And of course the electronics now play a bigger role. It’s very rewarding to be able to ride one of the best bikes in the World Championship after riding one of the best in superbikes this season,” Checa said. “I don’t know what level I’ll be at or what I’ll find. I just want to feel like I’ve given my maximum whatever happens. But we will take as much as possible from it and I’m sure we’ll take something good.”
Team Manager Paolo Campinoti was also excited about Checa joining the Pramac team for the final rounds of the MotoGP.
“After Mika Kallio’s decision to not take part in the last two races we decided to call on a rider with experience and talent that could give us a good end to the season,” said Campinoti. 'Thanks also to consultations with Ducati, we decided on Carlos Checa. Of course it will be important for him to get as much time as possible on the Estoril track during the free practice sessions so that he can improve his feeling with the bike. We know about his undoubted talent and potential, and this is why we expect a good result in both races.”
