German WorldSBK star Stefan Bradl will have no home advantage at this year’s Lausitz WorldSBK round as he was unable to test with the Red Bull Honda squad a couple of weeks ago and hasn’t ridden at the circuit for years.

Bradl was meant to be on Suzuka Eight-Hours duty when the test went ahead but ended up being laid low by an ear infection. Davide Giugliano stood in for him and ended up securing the bike which had belonged to the late Nicky Hayden for this weekend.

“It’s going to be important for me to do well in front of the German crowd – the home round always gives local riders extra motivation – and it will be interesting to see how we will perform here at Lausitzring,” said Bradl.

“I can’t say I know the track too well: I have raced there two or three times but it was long time ago, so I’m curious to see how this track will be with a big bike. I hope I can adapt quite quickly because the other top riders have tested here recently, so they will have a head start. There will be a lot of work to do but I hope we’ll have a good race weekend.”