( CNN ) -- Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo will miss the final race of 2011 MotoGP season in Valencia this weekend as he continues to recover from a finger injury . The Yamaha rider required plastic surgery to repair a damaged ring finger on his left hand after a crash in Australia three weeks ago . Lorenzo , 24 , is guaranteed second place in the world championship due to the 48-point lead he holds over third-place Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso . Australian Casey Stoner has already secured this year 's world championship . Japanese test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga will replace the 2010 world champion for Sunday 's race in the Spanish port city . `` Lorenzo continues to make good progress in recovery following plastic surgery to repair damage to the ring finger of his left hand sustained in Phillip Island three weeks ago , '' read a statement on the sport 's official website . `` The Mallorcan 's injuries require further recovery time to allow him to ride at a competitive level . '' This weekend 's race will be the first since Italian rider Marco Simoncelli was tragically killed in a crash in Malaysia on October 23 . A 16-meter wall bearing the 24-year-old 's racing number of 58 has been erected at the circuit for fans to leave their own personal tributes to the Italian . In addition , riders will gather on track prior to Sunday 's season-ending race to their own tribute to Simoncelli -- who raced for the Honda team .
Marco Simoncelli will miss the final race of the 2011 MotoGP season . The Italian is still recovering from plastic surgery on his finger . 2011 's race in Phillip Island is the third since the death of Marco Simoncelli .