Moto2: de Rosa out, Morales in at G22

Carmelo Morales will make his full-time Moto2 World Championship debut at the Catalunya Grand Prix after it was confirmed he would be replacing Raffaele de Rosa at Desguaces La Torre G22.

The Spaniard, who is currently leading the CEV Moto2 Championship, started three world series Moto2 races in 2010, though he is probably best remembered for his spectacular finish line accident in Barcelona last season, when he touched wheels with Kenny Noyes on the run to the chequered flag.

Morales, who has also been testing Suter's BMW-engined 'Moto1' prototype, made his debut for the team during this week's test at Motorland Aragon and replaces de Rosa, who has failed to score during the opening four rounds.

"Carmelo made a great impression across these two days," said team director Pablo Nieto. "He's a very fast rider, as proven by the titles he has won in different categories of the Spanish National Championship."

"We had no problem with Raffaele, it's an unforeseen situation and we'll do all we can in order to help him find a team."

Nieto's G22 team has endured a troubled 2011 season following the announcement that Fonsi Nieto was to retire from professional competition shortly before the start of the season, while his replacement Lukasz Wargala did not compete at the previous Le Mans round after failing to qualify in Portugal.