Hoy replaces Lorenzo in ROC lineup

Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy will replace injured MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo in this weekend's Race Of Champions in London.

Lorenzo, who recently beat Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi to the MotoGP crown in the Valencia title decider, suffered burns to his leg during his championship celebrations in Mallorca. European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Hoy will take the Spaniard's place alongside Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean in "Team All Stars" for the Nations Cup.

"I'm really sad that I cannot go to the Race Of Champions this year but during the celebrations in Mallorca I burned my leg on the bike," Lorenzo said: "I really hoped it would heal by now but due to potential complications from sweating inside the overalls, the doctors have forbidden me to do it.

"I know I would have had great fans supporting me in London so I'm sorry to be missing it. This is a great event and I hope you all enjoy watching all the action. Now I will try as hard as possible to be back at the Race Of Champions next year instead."

Hoy added: "I'm really excited to get this late call-up. I don't expect to be as fast as the real professionals but I'll do my very best.

"Of course I'm sorry to hear about Jorge's injury too but this is a wonderful opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it. Now I'll try to put on a show for the fans in the stadium in London tomorrow."

Lorenzo's place in the individual Race Of Champions competition will be filled by the winner of social media competition "ROC Factor." Fans have been voting from a selection of amateur drivers to join the star-studded field, and the final of the competition will be contested by Bradley Philpot and Des Foley to qualify for the ROC.

Originally on Autosport.com