No MotoGP for Rins: Lecuona with LCR in Malaysia and Qatar

There’s nothing doing for Alex Rins, the LCR rider again sidelined as a result of the injury he sustained at Mugello. He returned to action following a first operation but has since required a second surgery. His right leg will now prevent him from competing in Malaysia and Qatar, which means he will be replaced by Iker Lecuona. The SBK rider will therefore climb aboard the Honda RC213V at both upcoming rounds, having already competed at Silverstone, Red Bull Ring, Catalunya and Misano in the same LCR colours, and at Jerez on behalf of Repsol HRC.

MotoGP 2023: will we only see a complete grid at Valencia?

Incredible but true, we have not seen a full MotoGP grid at any time this year, with at least one rider missing from every round, from the inaugural Portimao event to (at least) Qatar.

As for Iker Lecuona, he now prepares for his sixth and seventh GP races of the year. Having concluded the SBK season in thirteenth place, he now has an opportunity to take on the Sepang International Circuit and the Lusail Circuit, two very different stages in terms of their respective climate and race schedule.

Will we see Alex Rins at Valencia at least? Here’s hoping, also because the Yamaha M1 awaits him already on the Tuesday following the last round, as he prepares for a new adventure. If all the riders remain fit from here on in – fingers crossed - we may finally see a full grid at the last round of the 2023 season. Better than nothing.