Image: Supplied.

The Repsol Honda Team has named Iker Lecuona as a fill-in for the recovering Marc Marquez at this weekend’s fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship at Jerez.

Lecuona made the move to the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) with Team HRC in 2022 after two seasons in the premier class of grand prix motorcycle racing with the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team.

His best MotoGP result came at Silverstone in 2021 where he finished P7, and is set to be a fresh face in the Repsol Honda Team after fill-in duties for the injured Marquez in recent years have been completed by former Moto2 world champion and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl.

Marquez along with the medical team led by Dr Roger de Oña made the decision to miss this weekend’s grand prix and focus his possible return on the French GP at Le Mans, between 12-14 May. He is recovering from an injured right hand sustained at the season-opening Portuguese grand prix and has been sidelined since the incident, undergoing surgery after the first round.

“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,” Marquez said. “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!”

Lecuona currently sits 13th in the 2023 Superbike World Championship and with his best result of the season to date coming at Phillip Island where he finished P6 in both race one and race two.