Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea will miss the upcoming Italian round at Cremona due to a hand injury sustained during a crash at Magny-Cours on September 7. He underwent surgery for a deep wound and is currently recovering at home in Northern Ireland, undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Rea's medical team has advised him to take additional time off to ensure proper healing before returning to racing, with a potential comeback at the Aragon round next weekend. In his absence, Yamaha's test rider Niccolo Canepa will step in, despite having previously announced his retirement from racing. Canepa expressed both pride and surprise at being called back for this opportunity. Rea, who has struggled in the current season, is 11th in the standings with only one podium finish from eight rounds.