MotoGP Catalan GP: LCR Honda Rider Alex Rins to Miss Barcelona Round, Iker Lecuona Steps-in Again

MotoGP's Catalan Grand Prix is this weekend, but LCR Honda's Alex Rins won't be there since he's still recovering from a fractured leg. In a collision in the Italian Grand Prix sprint race in June, the six-time MotoGP race victor severely fractured his right leg. Despite surgery on his leg, Rins's recuperation has been more difficult than expected. The primary problem currently is the rehabilitation of foot nerves. He hasn't raced since the short-distance event, sitting out the past five rounds. LCR Honda has stated that Rins will remain sidelined as he recuperates ahead of this weekend's Catalan GP in Barcelona. HRC rider Iker Lecuona will again fill in for Rins. Lecuona, a former Tech3 KTM rider, has filled in for Rins in every race since the Dutch GP at Assen, including the British and Austrian GPs. On the Honda, Lecuona has only finished sixteenth in a sprint race once, at the Austrian GP. Iker Lecuona will start the Catalan Grand Prix in lieu of Alex Rins, according to a short statement from the LCR team.

MotoGP: Alex Rins' Health Update

There is no set date for Rins' comeback. However, he will get a chance to evaluate his progress in a pressure-free setting on the Monday after next week's San Marino GP. Since the whole 2023 MotoGP field has not been on track together since FP2 for the Portuguese GP in March, Rins' absence from the Catalan GP is the most significant development of the season thus far. In an otherwise unsuccessful year for Honda, Rins won the Americas GP in April.

 

 

 

 

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Also Read: MotoGP: 'I am Really Excited', Says Nakagami as He Welcomes Zarco to LCR Honda

In a tweet, LCR Team announced, "Iker Lecuona to replace Alex Rins at the Catalan GP. LCR Honda CASTROL rider Alex Rins is making solid progress to be on track soon. However, he’ll miss the Catalan Grand Prix and will be replaced by compatriot Lecuona Iker."

During the MotoGP summer break, Alex Rins got married while using a wheelchair and crutches. Despite just being halfway through his first season with Honda after moving over from Suzuki, Rins has already committed to a transfer to Yamaha for the next season. His first six months with Honda were eventful, to say the least, highlighted by a victory in the Grand Prix of the Americas before his tragic accident. After Marc Marquez, Rins is the only Honda rider to win a MotoGP race in 2018.

MotoGP: Honda 2023 Season 

Despite the chaotic nature of the sprint at the Red Bull Ring, the Repsol Honda Team pair managed to escape any major incidents, giving them valuable track time with HRC's new aerodynamic package. To compete with KTM and Ducati, Honda revealed an aerodynamic fairing on Nakagami's LCR-run bike at the British Grand Prix two weeks ago. 

Also Read: MotoGP: LCR Honda Confirms Johann Zarco for 2024-25

Marquez and his teammate Joan Mir used a new aero kit during the Austrian Grand Prix. Even though Marquez felt "better and better" as the day wore on because of the altered aero, he still had to make adjustments to his riding style because of the RC213V's poor acceleration. Sunday has not been a good day for either Marquez or Mir, as Marquez has scored only two points while Mir has not scored at all.