Here's Who Will Replace Alex Rins at the Indian Grand Prix
Categories: MotoGP
Alex Rins, missing since the Italian Grand Prix, will miss yet another two race weekends as Honda finds a new replacement for the Spaniard.
Stefan Bradl will be filling in for the injured Alex Rins for at least the next two Grand Prix races because Rins is still recovering from a serious shin and calf bone fracture he sustained at Mugello.
During the Italian Grand Prix, Rins posted the third-best time on Friday but suffered a major crash during the Sprint Race on June 9th, resulting in a complex injury.
After an initial operation in Florence and enduring days of excruciating pain with an external fixator, Rins had to undergo a second surgery at the Ruber Hospital in Madrid, Spain.
Despite showing promise, Rins had to withdraw from the Misano Grand Prix after participating in a training session with a Honda Fireblade Superbike at MotorLand Aragón during the Catalunya Grand Prix weekend. Takumi Takahashi replaced him in Misano but faced difficulties and was unable to qualify.
The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) management has now made the decision to place German test rider Stefan Bradl on the LCR-Honda for the upcoming races at the Buddh International Circuit on September 24th and the Twin Ring Motegi on October 1st.
Stefan Bradl will replace LCR Honda CASTROL rider Alex Rins at the Grand Prix of India and the Grand Prix of Japan. The Spaniard is continuing his recovery and in the meantime former LCR rider Bradl will help the team the upcoming two Grand Prix 🇮🇳🇯🇵. #MotoGP #LCR @stefanbradl pic.twitter.com/SdCp3Igjr4
— LCR Team (@lcr_team) September 17, 2023
Bradl, a rider with a history of success, has previously won a 125cc World Championship race at Motegi in 2008 and achieved a fifth-place finish in MotoGP at the same circuit in 2013 while racing for LCR.
He raced for LCR-Honda in the MotoGP World Championship from 2012 to 2014 and already stepped in for Alex Rins in Assen in 2023, securing a 14th-place finish riding the Honda RC213V with a Kalex chassis.
There were rumors in Misano that Rins was still dealing with nerve issues in his injured right leg, leading to the postponement of his comeback.
However, these rumors were refuted by LCR team owner Lucio Cecchinello and Yamaha Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis.
Alex Rins’ attending physician from the Ruber Hospital, who was present at the Catalunya Grand Prix, explained that the recovery process is taking time due to the severe damage to the lower part of the shinbone caused by the Mugello crash. Lucio Cecchinello confirmed that there have been no unexpected complications in the healing process.
While it remains uncertain, it’s possible that Stefan Bradl may continue to race for LCR in upcoming events such as Mandalika (October 15th), Phillip Island (October 22nd), and Buriram (October 29th).
Iker Lecuona, a Honda Superbike World Championship rider who stood in for Rins during the summer break, will participate in the SBK event in Aragón on September 24th and then compete in Portimão on October 1st. The SBK season finale is scheduled for October 29th in Jerez.
