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Pramac Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci will miss this weekend's MotoGP season opener in Qatar due to further complications with his injured hand.
The Italian fell during the Phillip Island test four weeks ago, breaking three metacarpals in his right hand, and missed the subsequent pre-season running in Qatar.
He returned to action on Thursday, and said he would persist but without the protective cast he started practice with.
Petrucci was 10th fastest in Friday's second practice session of the weekend, but finished third practice in 14th place and "feeling strong pain", according to the team.
Following further medical checks, he has been withdrawn from the weekend.
"After the end of the practice, an x-ray follow-up highlighted a dislocated bone segment of the third metacarpal of his right hand," Pramac said in a statement.
"A problem that will force Petrux to miss the opening race."
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro deputised for Petrucci in the Qatar test and would be the likely replacement if the team elects not to park the bike, which it is yet to confirm.
