Ten Kate 'rewards' Bussei with Muggeridge ride.

Winston Ten Kate has rewarded Giovanni Bussei for his sportsmanship at Imola 2004, by handing him Karl Muggeridge's Honda for round three of the 2006 Corona Extra World Superbike Championship, at Valencia on April 23.

Muggeridge fractured vertebrae in his back during a testing accident at Valencia on March 29 and, despite rumours that he would be fit to race, the Australian has decided to sit the round out after receiving further medical advice.

"The doctors convinced me: it's not worth the risk," said Karl. "The injury is in a delicate position, and even though I don't feel any pain, a hard fall could make it much worse. From a couple of weeks I haven't been taking painkillers, so I was really positive about competing in Valencia, but this morning's examination wasn't as good as I thought.

"I'll have to go through lots of treatment and exercises to race in Monza in the first weekend of May," he added. "This is why I don't think I'll be able to follow the (Valencia) race from the track - I'll probably stay in Zurich with my family. I wish all the best to Giovanni. I hope he can do really well for the team and for himself."

"I am really sorry Karl will not be able to ride with us in Valencia," added team manager Ronald Ten Kate. "He seemed to get better and better day by day, but at the end I think he took, together with the doctors, the right decision. It's not worth it to ruin a season and put in danger his future for a single race. I am confident he will be back for Monza."

Race two at Imola 2004 saw Ten Kate Honda rider Chris Vermeulen fall from his machine on the parade lap - after oil leaked onto his rear wheel. Vermeulen was battling for the world championship at the time, with only one round to go, making the incident particularly disastrous. However, Bussei (riding a Ducati) stopped and gave the young Australian a lift back to the pits, allowing him to start from the pitlane and eventually take a sixth placed finish.

Bussei's generosity was rewarded with a ride-through penalty imposed by the stewards - ruining his own race - but he was at least presented with a special trophy for his sportsmanship at the following Magny Cours finale (top picture) and has now finally been given what many will see as his true reward.

"Giovanni really deserves a chance with our team for what he did in Imola in 2004," confirmed the Dutchman. "In that race, during the warm up lap, he turned into a "taxi rider" and brought our rider Chris Vermeulen back to the pits after a fall, allowing him to participate in a crucial race in which Chris was fighting for the title. This showed the sportsmanship Giovanni has. We could consider it a payback from our side. It wasn't easy to find a rider in this moment of the season, but we are very pleased to work with Giovanni."

"I couldn't believe it when I received the phone call yesterday afternoon," said a delighted Bussei. "I was really happy. The chance to ride the Honda CBR1000, which finished second in last year's championship, is a fantastic opportunity for me. After my injury at Mangy Cours last year (lower pic), I wasn't planning to find any teams for the 2006 season, I had some offers but I preferred to recover and be back at the best physical conditions.

"Nothing is for sure yet, but I may possibly participate to Supermotard World Championship to keep in shape. But what is happening now is just incredible. The last rumours were saying that Karl was going to recover, and then my phone rang. It was Ronald Ten Kate. Now I really hope to payback the trust they gave me by bringing as many points as possible to the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team. Of course I am sorry for Karl, I know how he is feeling at the moment. I honestly hope he will get well soon," concluded the popular Superbike veteran.

Bussei will be riding alongside Winston Ten Kate regular James Toseland, who is currently second in the 2006 world championship standings.