With MotoGP-bound Moto2 rider Xavier Simeon probably out for the rest of the season after surgery for a complex right-hand finger fracture, his place on the Tasca Kalex was taken by veteran Alex de Angelis. De Angelis also replaced the Belgian at Silverstone, where he finished 24th.
Jorge Navarro also suffered hand injuries in a Phillip Island race crash, and underwent surgery to repair left-hand ligament damage in Melbourne the following day. His seat on the Federal Oil Gresini Kalex went to Indonesian rider Dimas Ekky Pratama.
There was no replacement for the third hand injury victim, Aprilia MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro, who is expected to be back for the final round in Valencia. Espargaro fell in the race, and suffered finger and metacarpal fractures to his left hand. He returned to Spain for surgical repair with plates and screws.
