Alex Rins’ recovery process continues after another operation – Iker Lecuona will be back on LCR-Honda for the next two races
Alex Rins will also not be present at the upcoming Grands Prix in Malaysia (12.11.) and Qatar (19.11.). The LCR Honda team has once again nominated Iker Lecuona as a replacement rider. For the Honda rider in the Superbike World Championship, it will be MotoGP races number six and seven this year
Rins returned after his long injury break at the Japanese Grand Prix. But he had to throw in the towel after Friday training. The pain in his lower right leg was too great. Stefan Bradl finished the weekend in Motegi.
Rins then completed the entire weekend in Indonesia and celebrated a ninth place. But then it was over again in Australia after the Friday practice sessions. He flew back to Madrid and underwent another operation on his right fibula.
No replacement was nominated for the Grand Prix of Thailand, as this race took place a week after Australia. Lecuona will now be used in Sepang and Lusail. This means that Rins could only be back this season at the end of November for the finale in Valencia.
It remains to be seen whether Rins will get the green light from the doctors for Valencia. An important test day will take place on the Tuesday after the finale. Rins could ride the Yamaha M1 for the first time there, as he is switching to the Yamaha factory team next year.
Lecuona has already stood in for his compatriot Rins in the LCR team at Silverstone, Spielberg and Barcelona. He also stood in for Marc Marquez in the Honda works team in Jerez and Joan Mir in Assen.
Lecuona has not scored any championship points in any of his five race appearances to date. His future still lies in the Superbike World Championship. Honda has extended his contract by two years for 2024 and 2025. Lecuona finished the 2023 season in 13th place in the World Championship. He did not manage a podium finish
