Dennis Foggia is forced to miss the Australian Grand Prix because of a bout of pneumonia that's preventing him from leaving for the first of the last two overseas races. Foggia is currently hospitalized in Italy and doctors have advised him against traveling.
The Aspar team's junior rider, Joel Esteban, will be replacing Foggia at Phillip Island. He had already raced in Australia last year, narrowly missing the points zone. Esteban is currently third in the JuniorGP, one point behind second place.