De Angelis to replace Spies in US GP

Spies's 2013 season has been blighted by the lingering after-effects of his heavy crash in last year's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The American moved from Yamaha to Pramac Ducati this season, but has only managed to start the Losail and Austin races. He attempted to compete at Mugello, but withdrew after practice.

Spies had hoped to be back for his next home race at Laguna on July 21. Pramac is confident he can now be ready for the Indianapolis event three weeks later instead.

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro has been Spies' regular stand-in so far, but is committed to a factory test in Italy immediately after Laguna, so de Angelis has been called up.

De Angelis raced in MotoGP with Gresini in 2008-09 being dropping down to Moto2, although he made a brief comeback in mid-2010 when Interwetten Honda rider Hiroshi Aoyama was injured.