Nieto to deputise for Jacque in France

The Spanish rider races for Kawasaki in the World Superbike championship, but he has won on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit in the past when he was competing in the 250cc category.

"I am so excited to be racing this weekend," said Nieto. "However, it's a shame I come here as a replacement for Olivier.

"No rider wants to act as a replacement, and none of us want to be replaced, but these things happen."

The 28-year-old has no experience of the 800cc MotoGP bike that he will be racing this weekend, and he is not convinced that his 250cc experience will be of much use, despite several riders saying that the classes are not too different any more.

"I've heard a lot of people say that riding the 800cc bike is similar to 250cc, but I am not in 250cc now and I have had to change my riding style for World Superbikes," he said.

"It will be almost impossible to learn it all in just two days of practice, but I will work as hard as I can for the team throughout the weekend."

Kawasaki competition manager Michael Bartholemy added that Nieto was an obvious choice as a stand-in rider.

"Obviously, knowing Olivier might not be fit to race, we've spent some time looking at replacement riders, and to be honest, there was only one option," he said.

"Fonsi is already part of the Kawasaki family, and although he'll be making his MotoGP debut, he is no stranger to the paddock, and I'm confident he will adapt quickly to competing in the premier class."

Nieto is currently 13th in the World Superbikea standings after the first six double-header rounds.