Marc Marquez is ruled out of yet another Grand Prix, with Lecuona taking his place.

Marc Marquez, an eight-time world champion, has been deemed unsuitable to compete in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix after undergoing a medical examination at Ruber Internacional Hospital on April 25 as part of his rehabilitation.

Four months ago, Marquez had a successful operation to repair an intra-articular fracture of the first metacarpal on his right hand after sustaining injuries in the opening circuits of the very first race in Portugal.

His injury is undergoing treatment, which is why Marquez and his medical staff determined that competing in Jerez would be too dangerous. Instead, they have set their sights on the French Grand Prix from May 12-14, where Marquez intends to make his return to the track.

Even though Marquez’s absence from the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix is a disappointment for fans, the good news is that former MotoGP rider Iker Lecuona will be replacing him. Lecuona, who currently competes for Group HRC in WorldSBK, has a track record that speaks for itself. Since 2016, he has been making ripples in the Moto2 World Championship, and his debut MotoGP marketing campaign in 2020 was nothing short of extraordinary. In actuality, he earned three major 10s in his first year, a remarkable accomplishment for a rookie.

Lecuona moved to WorldSBK as part of Crew HRC’s factory lineup in 2022. While his rookie season on a Superbike was not without issues, he still managed to earn 1 podium and 1 pole position. Following three rounds in Australia, Indonesia, and the Netherlands, he is currently ranked thirteenth in the overall standings for 2023, with 33 points. Nevertheless, given Lecuona’s impressive monitor report, it will be exciting to see how he performs upon his return to the premier course.

For his part, Marquez expressed contrition for missing the Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that this race is typically exclusive due to the atmosphere, racing at home, and, most importantly, observing and taking advantage of the fans. However, he remains focused on his rehabilitation and is working hard to achieve a speedy recovery. His scientific and radiological progression has been pronounced satisfactory, despite the fact that Marquez’s personal injury is therapeutic. Now, all eyes will be on Le Mans to see if Marquez can return to the track victorious.