Tito Rabat is back in WorldSBK this weekend replacing the injured Lucas Mahias at Puccetti Kawasaki for Misano.

Rabat was a regular runner last season aboard the Barni Ducati before the team parted ways with the Spaniard ahead of Barcelona. The 33-year-old completed the year on the Kawasaki, with four points scoring finishes in the final three rounds, after Mahias was ruled out with a fractured scaphoid.

The Frenchman sustained a fifth metacarpal bone fracture on his right hand during the Superpole Race at the Estoril three weeks ago, with the 2014 Moto2 World Champion called up as substitute once again, this time for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round.

“I’m really very pleased to be back racing with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing and I thank Manuel and the whole team for putting their trust in me, at their home round no less, which I know is very important for them,” Rabat said of his return.

“I’m highly motivated and fully committed. I hope that the weather is good and that we can enjoy a weekend that will be challenging but also wonderful. I can’t wait to get back to work with the team, after getting on with them so well last year.”

“Unfortunately, Lucas Mahias has not yet fully recovered from the injury he suffered at Estoril, and we will replace him with Tito Rabat, who knows the team and the bike from having raced with us the last three rounds of last season,” Team principal Manuel Puccetti confirmed. “I’m pleased and proud to use the historic and beautiful ELF livery for the first year, which reinforces our collaboration with Total Italia.”