After last weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, the d'Antin Ducati team parted ways with German Alex Hofmann after he pulled into the pits during the race. The team will field a replacement rider for the last four events.

Welsh born racer Chaz Davies raced the bike at Laguna Seca when Hofmann was injured and impressed when thrown into the deep end. The 20-year old also tested for Ducati in Europe recently.

Rumors have circulated that Davies will be the replacement for Hofmann at Motegi, but it has yet to be decided if he'll ride in Japan. Chaz has an elbow injury and the Laguna round didn't go exactly as he would have liked.

"I'm not sure it's gonna happen this weekend, for reasons of my own -- the elbow infection I have right now," said Davies. "I want to be 100% fit for the team and I wasn't strong in the race at Laguna because of the medication."