Ducati rider Andrea Iannone cancels MotoGP off-season surgery

The operation had been in the pipeline since a testing crash at Mugello in May that caused a dislocation.

He did not miss any races - and claimed his maiden pole at the next grand prix after the accident - but struggled with pain from the problem during the summer, and then exacerbated it when he stumbled on a training run in September.

Despite this, Iannone has now decided his shoulder has healed sufficiently in recent weeks and he will stick to therapy aimed at strengthening the muscles in the area.

"I have taken my decision in the last few hours," said Iannone on Saturday.

"I didn't have any particular problems with my shoulder in the last few races and the second part of the season was positive when it came to my form."

Iannone would have needed to stop training for three months had he gone ahead with the surgery.

Skipping it means he can take in Ducati's planned test at Jerez at the end of November.

"Probably in a few years I'll have to have an operation, but I didn't want to run the risk of arriving at the start of the 2016 championship still in convalescence," he said

"So I preferred to delay it and focus on winter preparation aimed at strengthening the muscle area around my left shoulder."

The 26-year-old was promoted to Ducati's factory team from satellite squad Pramac this year and had a breakthrough campaign.

He overshadowed experienced team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and finished fifth in the championship, having held third place for a spell.

In addition to pole at Mugello, where he also finished a career-best second in the race, he took third places at Losail and Phillip Island.