Qui remplacera Elias ?

[webamanu]

AMA veteran, Miguel Duhamel could be called up to replace Tony Elias at the US Moto GP.

With the Spaniard expected be out for at least the next two rounds following his femur fracture at Assen, Gresini Honda is believed to be seeking the services of DuHamel for Laguna Seca - the last race before the summer break and a track the 39-year-old Canadian is very familiar with.

With the exception of 1992 - when he finished 12th in the 500cc World Championship for Team Yamaha France -
Duhamel has raced in the AMA championships continuously since 1990, winning eight titles - one in Superbike, five in Supersport and two in Formula Xtreme - plus five Daytona 200 victories.

It is that immense experience that Gresini Honda reportedly plans to exploit at the notoriously tough-to-learn Laguna Seca - where DuHamel's former rival Nicky Hayden has taken victory on both of MotoGP's previous visits.

DuHamel is currently fourth in the AMA Superbike championship, with a best finish of second so far this season.

Gresini Honda, the only RC212V team to use Bridgestone tyres, has been the best performing satellite Honda outfit during a difficult year for HRC - Elias and Marco Melandri having taken one podium each from the first nine rounds.

It is not yet know if Gresini plans to field a second rider alongside Melandri at the German Grand Prix, which takes place just one week before the US GP, although former WCM MotoGP rider Michel Fabrizio - who now rides for Honda in WSBK - has been linked to the seat.