Andrea Iannone has been forced to miss the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Motegi circuit, Ducati has officially confirmed.
The Italian rider suffered a back injury after a fall during first practice at the Misano track, which caused him to miss the rest of the weekend.
He attempted to ride at Motorland Aragon but he withdrew after practice. He will now miss the Japanese GP too.
"The excess fluid in his back injury had been almost totally absorbed and that the calcification process of the T3 vertebra was now well underway," Ducati said.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-120x86.webp)
The team also confirmed Iannone will not be replaced for the up-coming round at Motegi and will run only Andrea Dovizioso.
Iannone returned Ducati to the top step of the podium earlier this year at the Red Bull Ring, but will move to Suzuki for 2017.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-350x250.webp)
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