Image: Supplied.

The LCR Honda Castrol team has confirmed that Iker Lecuona will continue to fill-in for the recovering Alex Rins in the 11th round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship this weekend at Catalunya.

Rins crashed during the sprint race at Mugello in June, badly breaking his right leg in what has been the ‘worst’ injury of his career.

Meanwhile, Lecuona is no stranger to making MotoGP replacement appearances for Honda this year, previously filling in at the Repsol Honda Team for Marc Marquez at Jerez and at Assen in place of Joan Mir, in addition to competing with the LCR team as a substitute for Rins across the last two rounds.

“Iker Lecuona to replace Alex Rins at the Catalan GP,” a statement from the LCR Honda team read.”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 Iker Lecuona.”

Lecuona’s best Sunday result while filling so far in 2023 came at Jerez where he finished P16, and the Team HRC Superbike World Championship regular is currently 13th in the WorldSBK standings despite suffering a left hip and ankle injury in the superpole race at Misano.

After finding refuge at the LCR Honda team this year after Suzuki’s MotoGP exit, Rins will make the switch to the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team for 2024.