SIC Moto2 rider Niki Tuuli has withdrawn from the German Grand Prix due to pain from his recently partially amputated finger on his left hand making it “too difficult to ride.”
Finnish rookie Tuuli was brought into the SIC Moto2 team for the French Grand Prix as Zulfhami Khairuddin's replacement, having competed in World Supersport for the past season and a half.
Tuuli crashed heavily exiting the tight Strubben hairpin at Assen during qualifying two weeks ago, and had to have part of a finger on his left and amputated as a result.
Passed fit to race at the Sachsenring, Tuuli ended the day 32nd after completing both practice session.
However, struggling too much to ride through the pain on the predominantly left-hand circuit, Tuuli and the SIC team both took the decision sit out the rest of the weekend.
He said: “I felt good coming to Sachsenring because just normally without the leathers, my hand is working quite okay.
“Unfortunately, as soon as I put the glove on my hand it was so painful, so I couldn't use the clutch at all.
“There are a lot of corners on the left here and I found this really difficult because I couldn't hold my hand on the handlebar like I needed too.
“Sadly it’s just too difficult to ride now. I’m really disappointed because I wanted so badly to ride here.
“I feel like I’ve took a step back because now is my time to really do a good job but instead I have to focus on recovering in time for Brno.
“There will be a two week break after this GP, so I hope that this time will allow me to be fully ready to return for the start of the second half of the season.
“I’m very sorry to the team and I want to say a big thank you to them for their support.
“Also to Alpinestars for making a special glove for me. I’m sorry to everyone that I won’t be riding this weekend.”
Xavi Cardelus [Team Stylobike] and Tetsuta Nagashima [Honda Team Asia] were also forced to miss the Assen event after crashing heavily in practice and in qualifying, but were both present on Friday at Sachsenring, with Nagashima 22nd and Cardelus 33rd.
Current Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli is set to join the Petronas-backed squad, while resurgent Moto2 winner Fabio Quartararo has been strongly tipped to partner the Italian.
