Injured MotoGP rider Tito Rabat to miss Phillip Island test

Rabat crashed on the second day of the opening pre-season test, severely lacerating his left knee and fracturing bones in his right foot and hand.

He underwent surgery in Barcelona on February 1, and has now been ruled out of the Phillip Island running, primarily to help the recovery of the knee.

"Tito has worked hard to be fit for the Phillip Island test, after sustaining quite debilitating injuries in Malaysia," team boss Michael Bartholemy said.

"While the fractures have healed nicely and wouldn't have stopped him from riding in Australia, the knee injury is a different story altogether.

"Despite intensive physiotherapy he still doesn't have the necessary extension in the joint and he risks popping the stitches - with the associated danger of infection - if he participates in the Phillip Island test.

"This is why we made the decision together with Tito to give him more time to recover ahead of the Qatar test, rather than risking everything for little gain by having him ride injured in Australia.

"This is the right decision for him and for the team."

Rabat will not be replaced at Phillip Island, with Jack Miller the team's sole representative.