Elena Rosell will step in for Julian Simon who broke his right tibia and fibia in multiple places in a horror crash at the Catalan Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old Spanish woman becomes the first female world championship level rider since Katja Poensgen in 2003. She is currently the leading female rider in Spain and has a victory at Albacete (2009) in the Kawasaki Ninja Cup to her credit.

“I still can’t believe the opportunity I have this weekend,” Rosell said.

“The possibility of me joining up with the MAPFRE Aspar Team for a race was first discussed last week and it has been a nerve-wracking few days for me.

“It is an opportunity I have been hoping for ever since I began racing and I have to thank the MAPFRE Aspar Team for the faith they have shown in me. I am going to make my Moto2 debut with one of the best teams and words can’t describe how that makes me feel.

“I can’t wait to get to Holland so that I can start to believe it.”

Rosell will make her debut in practice for the Moto2 race at Assen on the 23rd June.