Valentino Rossi - Photo Credit: Ducati
Nicky Hayden stepped in for Valentino Rossi as Ducati put more testing miles on the GP12 machine at Jerez today, the final time the Italian squad will run their new 1000cc bike before the end of the season.
Rossi was originally scheduled to ride the 2012 Desmosedici but was advised to rest after injuring the little finger on his left hand in the crash which took him out of the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend. The Italian was involved in a collision with the two factory Yamahas on the first lap and he walked away from the crash scene, showing no immediate signs of injury.
But due to the severity of the pain and swelling in his left hand, Rossi underwent additional X-rays on Tuesday that revealed a hairline fracture at the arthrodesis of the first and second phalanx on his left hand, forcing Hayden to replace him.
Despite the injury, Rossi is not thought to be in any doubt for next weekend's Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
