Andrea Iannone has been ruled out of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The factory Ducati rider fractured his T3 vertebra in a practice crash at Misano last month which ruled him out of the San Marino Grand Prix.
Iannone attempted to make a comeback at the Aragon Grand Prix two weeks later only to withdraw after suffering pain from the injury in practice.
The Italian had hoped to make a return at Motegi this weekend but doctors have since advised Ducati to allow more time for the rider’s injury to heal.
As a result, Ducati has elected against fielding a replacement leaving Andrea Dovizioso as the sole factory rider in Japan.
It is hoped Iannone will return at Phillip Island for the Australian Grand Prix from October 21-23.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Jack Miller is expected to return to competitive action having been sidelined from races at San Marino and Aragon with a hand injury.