Morbidelli out, Bradl in for Sachsenring

Stefan Bradl will make his first MotoGP start since 2016 after being called up to replace in the injured Franco Morbidelli for the remainder of his home German Grand Prix.

Morbidelli, who suffered a left hand fracture at Sachsenring, made the decision to withdraw after completing 19 laps in this morning's FP1, when he was 22nd fastest and 1.937s from Andrea Iannone.

Bradl, the 2011 Moto2 world champion, spent three seasons in MotoGP at LCR Honda, claiming one pole and one podium, before switching to Forward Yamaha and then Aprilia Gresini in 2015.

Bradl departed MotoGP after the 2016 season on the RS-GP, racing for Ten Kate Honda in last year's World Superbike championship.

With no race seat in place for 2018, Bradl signed up as a Honda MotoGP test and wild-card rider and is thus familiar with the RC213V.

The German fans will now have a home rider to cheer in the premier-class, after second place for Jonas Folger one year ago.

Morbidelli is tipped to join the new SIC Yamaha team in MotoGP next season, with Fabio Quartararo now the hot rumour to complete the satellite Yamaha line-up.