Moto2: tech 3 announces Simeon replacement

Tech 3 Racing will field Jordi Torres as replacement for the injured Xavier Simeon in this weekend's Catalan Moto2 Grand Prix. Simeon has been ruled out of the fifth round of the 2012 World Championship due to hand and left foot injuries suffered in a heavy qualifying fall for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans earlier this month. 24-year-old Torres has thus been drafted in to partner Bradley Smith on the Mistral 610 machines this weekend. Torres is currently leading the Spanish Moto2 Championship, having won the last two races at Navarro and Motorland Aragon. The Spaniard is also no stranger to Moto2, having been a replacement rider for the Aspar squad in 2011. He competed in 10 races last season and scored a best finish of 17th in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Torres also acted as a test rider for BQR's FTR-Kawasaki MotoGP project during 2012 pre-season testing. To ensure Torres has some experience of the Mistral 610 machine ahead of this weekend's Catalunya round, he is currently taking part in a private test session today (Tuesday) at the Ales track in France. Simeon is expected to re-join Tech 3 for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 17.