Nieto gets Kawasaki call.

World Superbike rider and former 250GP winner Fonsi Nieto will make his MotoGP debut with Kawasaki at this weekend's French Grand Prix, replacing the injured Olivier Jacque.

Jacque suffered a deep laceration to his right arm during practice last time out at Shanghai, forcing a reluctant withdraw from his home race - and handing an exciting opportunity to Nieto.

The 28-year-old Spaniard has never ridden the 800cc ZX-RR before, but won the 250cc race at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit in 2002. Nieto's regular ride is with PSG-1 Kawasaki in WSBK, with whom he took a podium finish last season and has recorded a high of fifth so far this year.

"I am so excited to be riding for the Kawasaki Racing Team this weekend and can only thank Kawasaki, as they have treated me so well since I became one of their riders two years ago," enthused Fonsi, who will ride alongside former rival Randy de Puniet. "However, it's a shame I come here as a replacement for Olivier as I have huge respect for him. No rider wants to act as a replacement, as none of us want to be replaced, but these things happen.

"I am quite familiar with Le Mans and, even if it is a 'stop-and-go' track, it's not a difficult one. I like it. I won there in 2002, when I was riding in 250cc, but I am aware that it's going to be different this time. I am not in 250cc anymore and I had to change my riding style when I moved to the Superbikes. I don't know what it's going to be like on a MotoGP bike but it's certainly going to be a great experience for me!

"New category, new bike, new tyres... I will have to get used to them all as quickly as I can although, realistically, it will be almost impossible to learn it all in just two days of practice. Still, I am really looking forward to trying the Ninja ZX-RR 800cc as I have heard a lot about it and many people say riding it is similar to riding a 250.

"Anyway, we will be busy and I will work as hard as I can for the team throughout the weekend, with the target of finishing the race. These people are trusting me and I will try my best not to let them down," he declared.

'We wanted to give Olivier as much time as possible to recover from his injuries, which is why we have waited until now to make the decision not to run him at Le Mans," explained Kawasaki competition manager Michael Bartholemy. "He wants to race but it's not physically possible for him to do so because the scar is still too fragile and this is limiting the mobility in his arm. So, he won't race in France but, instead, will focus on regaining full fitness for Mugello."

Unemployed former World Superbike champion and MotoGP rider Neil Hodgson had also been linked to the replacement ride, but Bartholemy insists choosing Nieto was an easy decision.

"Obviously, knowing Olivier might not be fit to race, we've spent some time looking at possible replacement riders and, to be honest, there really was only one option," he said. "Fonsi is already part of the Kawasaki family and, although he'll be making his MotoGP debut this weekend, he is certainly no stranger to the grand prix paddock or the circuit.

"Sure, coming in cold with no time to test the bike before Friday's opening practice session will be tough but I'm confident he will adapt quickly to the demands of competing in motorcycle racing's premier class and I hope that he will enjoy racing Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR at Le Mans."

First free practice at Le Mans takes place on Friday morning.