MotoE champ Matteo Ferrari joins WorldSBK ranks for Aragon

MotoE World Cup champion Matteo Ferrari will make his WorldSBK Championship debut at Motorland Aragon this weekend after being called up to replace the injured Leandro Mercado.

The Italian beat a number of high-profile rivals to become the first champion of the MotoGP-supporting all-electric motorcycle series, while he has also previously competed in the Moto3 World Championship.

This weekend, however, will see him jump on the Motocorsa Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time for this weekend Teruel WorldSBK event, the second of two rounds to be held at Motorland Aragon circuit.

He deputises for Mercado, who suffered a sprained ankle in an accident during last weekend’s Spanish event when he collided with Tom Sykes after the Briton ran off track and rejoined into the Argentine’s path.

“The accident on Sunday that led to the collision between Tom Sykes and our rider Tati Mercado forced me to make the difficult decision to replace Tati for the Pirelli Teruel Round,” explained Motocorsa team manager Lorenzo Mauri.
 
“I know very well that he wanted to take part in the entire weekend, but my fear is primarily his health. 
 
“I don’t want to risk compromising next weekend by straining his left ankle; I prefer to stop it now and return it to 100% in the next round on the track in Barcelona where we will continue the work done so far. Tati will return to Italy to begin the necessary medical treatments and treatments to ensure his complete recovery."

Ferrari is one of two unfamiliar substitutes on track in Spain, with Roman Ramon competing again on the Pedercini Kawasaki in place of the injured Sandro Cortese.