Rea Sidelined: Italian World Superbike Round Without Star Racer.

Moto Racing General

Rea Sidelined: Italian World Superbike Round Without Star Racer.

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea will miss the next race in Italy due to a hand injury.

Yamaha rider Jonathan Rea had surgery on his right thumb after injuring it in the first race of the French round at Magny-Cours on September 8.

The 36-year-old will be replaced by Yamaha test rider Niccolò Canepa for the Italian round in Cremona.

Rea expressed his disappointment on Instagram, saying, 'After consulting with my doctors, they’ve advised that the tendon and skin grafts on my thumb need more time to heal to prevent setbacks.'