WSB - Lanzi Steps in to Replace Laconi at Eurospeedway for Ducati - September 7th 2005

Italian Lorenzo Lanzi will step in to the factory Ducati Xerox World Superbike team this weekend at the Eurospeedway Lausitz alongside James Toseland, as a replacement for the injured Régis Laconi.

Frenchman Laconi was injured in a crash during last Friday's first qualifying at Assen and immediately flew back to France for further checks with physiotherapy specialists, but the nature of his injuries mean that he has been ruled out of the race in Germany. In the crash Laconi suffered a gashed right elbow, which needed eight stitches and an injured tendon, which will require several weeks to heal.

After a difficult start to the season, the performances of 23-year-old Lanzi on the satellite Ducati Caracchi Team 999RS have taken a positive swing in the last eight races, in which he has never been outside the top 10. His best result this year is fifth place in race 1 at Misano Adriatico.

The young Italian finished seventh and sixth at Assen on Sunday and will make his debut for the factory team at the imposing Eurospeedway in the former East Germany, a now-familiar circuit for Lorenzo, after a two-day test that took place in July.

Ducati Corse wishes to thank Scuderia Caracchi and its sponsor GA for making Lorenzo Lanzi available for this weekend's race.