After switching to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for the 2021 campaign, Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) will find himself back in the MotoGP™ paddock just months after leaving for WorldSBK, as he replaces the injured Jorge Martin at Pramac Racing for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto from the 30^th April to the 2^nd May.

The 2014 Moto2™ World Champion is yet to make his racing debut in WorldSBK following his move to the Championship but has been out testing for his new team in the offseason, getting up to speed with the Ducati Panigale V4 R as well as the street bike as he looks to adjust to WorldSBK machinery for the new campaign. Straight after his MotoGP™ outing at Jerez, Rabat will be back with the Barni Racing Team on May 4^th and 5^th at the Circuito Navarra for a two-day WorldSBK test.

Barcelona-born Rabat competed in MotoGP™ since from 2016 and spent 2018, 2019 and 2020 competing with Ducati machinery, meaning he goes into his stand-in appearance knowing the bike as he looks to do the best job possible for Pramac Racing. Martin was injured in the Portuguese Grand Prix during the third free practice session and was ruled out of the remainder of the weekend and will undergo surgery in Barcelona on Wednesday to fractures he suffered on his right thumb, right ankle and left tibial plateau.

Discussing his temporary MotoGP™ reprieve, Rabat said: “Back to racing in MotoGP™ is a great opportunity, especially in my home race and with a factory bike. First of all, I want to thank Paolo Campinoti, the whole team at Pramac Racing and Ducati for giving me this opportunity. Thanks also to the Barni Racing Team for supporting me in this decision.”

Marco Barnabo, Team Principal of Barni Racing Team, added: “When Ducati and Pramac asked us to let Tito race in MotoGP™ we gladly accepted. For our team to be able to collaborate with the Factory and with another team that, like us, is committed to bringing up the name of Ducati is a source of pride. The Superbike championship will start at the end of May and this opportunity does not affect the other commitments that must lead us to be ready for the start of the new season. I wish the best of luck to the Pramac Racing team and to Tito for this adventure".

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