Tito Rabat will make his MotoGP return at the post-race Valencia test on the Tuesday after the final race, marking his first time on his Avintia Ducati since breaking his leg at the British Grand Prix.
Rabat suffered a triple fracture to his right leg in a horror accident during a wet FP4 session at Silverstone in August, in which he was struck by Franco Morbidelli's errant Marc VDS Honda in the graveltrap at Stowe corner.
The Spaniard underwent immediate emergency surgery in Coventry, and has been recovering ever since, making his first on-track test on a Panigale V4 Ducati last week at Valencia.
Rabat had hoped to return to racing for the finale at Ricardo Tormo, but has been advised to sit out the race, and will instead make take part in the two-day test the week following the Valencia race at the same circuit.
“I have been working hard for more than two months since I got injured, my leg is getting better everyday and I have been able to test with my Panigale in a couple of circuits.
“I have seen that on the bike the leg is not a problem, but I have also seen that I’m still not 100%, therefore, it would be very dangerous for me and the other riders to return for next weekend’s Valencia race.
“We believe it is the best decision. But for sure I will try the at test on Tuesday with my new Ducati GP18.
“We will see how I feel and then keep working to recover my leg to reach the top before next season. This is the most important thing.”
Rabat was initially replaced by Christophe Ponsson at Misano, but this earned Avintia a lot of criticism within the paddock for fielding someone with no experience, and replaced him with former Moto2 and MV Agusta World Superbike rider Jordi Torres.
However, Torres' participation at Valencia is now in doubt after he fractured his wrist in a crash during the Sepang weekend. He has since undergone a successful operation on the injury.
Rabat will remain with Avintia next year and will join Karel Abraham, with both riding this year's GP18 machinery currently used by the factory team and Danilo Petrucci at Pramac.
