Iker Lecuona to replace Marc Marquez for Jerez MotoGP weekend, as Enea Bastianini set for Thursday check-up for return.
Honda –
Tuesday, April 25, Marc Marquez underwent a medical check at the Ruber Internacional Hospital after having been successfully operated on four weeks ago for an intra-articular fracture of the first metacarpal on the right hand.
The clinical and radiological progression was deemed satisfactory, however, due to the nature of the fracture and the time elapsed, the medical team led by Dr. Roger de Oña together with Marquez, have decided to continue with his recovery and preparation during the coming weeks and focus his possible return on the French GP, May 12 – 14.
Iker Lecuona from Team HRC in WorldSBK will replace Marc Marquez for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. “Yesterday we did another CT scan and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky,” said Marquez.
“Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans. I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans. I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support.”
Ducati –
After picking up a shoulder blade injury at the Portuguese Grand Prix following an incident with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Ducati Lenovo Team’s Enea Bastianini will travel to Jerez in the hope he can pass a fitness test to participate in the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Italian has been sidelined since that Portimao Tissot Sprint crash but ahead of Round 4 of the season, Bastianini completed 10 laps of the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on a Ducati Panigale V4 S. After having positive feelings, the ‘The Beast’ will be in Jerez and will undergo a medical test on Thursday to see if he is fit to jump back on his factory GP23 to kickstart his campaign.
After weeks of doing rehab and working hard to recover from his injury, @bestia23 took to the track again at Misano today! Enea did 10 laps and had positive feelings. He will fly to Jerez and undergo a medical check on Thursday to determine if he is fit to race at the #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/FUnCJjYiLV
— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) April 24, 2023
Here’s Carlos Sainz meeting Marc Marquez
Here’s Alex Marquez on less training
[Note: The story is as per press release]
