In case Australian Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner, who injured his ankle last weekend in Indianapolis, is not able to re-join the Repsol Honda Team in time, then 25 year old Rea will replace him in Misano and Aragon.
"I cannot take the smile off my race right now, this is a great opportunity for me," said the man from Ballyclare in County Antrim. "I have sympathy for Casey and wish him all the best for his recovery. It is still a bit of a shock but I am happy Honda have put trust in me to do some testing mileage. I am under no illusions about how tough a class it is. The bike is an animal. A proper fire-breathing racing machine. I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Rea added.
