until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
KTM Tech3 MotoGP rider Iker Lecuona will miss this weekend’s European Grand Prix at Valencia because his brother has tested positive for COVID-19.
The 20-year-old Spaniard who hails from Valencia is a resident in Andorra, where he lives with his brother – who also serves as his assistant at races.
Unfortunately for Lecuona, a positive test for his brother means that under Andorran rules, both will now be forced to quarantine for 10 days. Lecuona has so far tested negative.
That rules him out of participating in this weekend’s opening race of two at Valencia, with nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi potentially joining him on that list as he awaits the result of his own tests today.
The news comes as a blow for Lecuona not only as his 2020 campaign picks up pace but with the first opportunity to ride a circuit he’s already familiar with.
He made his MotoGP debut in the final race there of 2019 (pictured below), deputising for injured 2020 team-mate Miguel Oliveira.
Due to the short notice of the mandatory quarantine, he will also not be replaced this weekend.
Tech3 boss Herve Poncheral says the news is incredibly unfortunate for Lecuona and the squad.
“We are very sad to announce that Iker Lecuona won’t be participating in the Gran Premio de Europa this weekend,” said the veteran team boss in a statement.
“So far, he’s been tested negative, but his brother, who is also his assistant, is positive and therefore the Andorran authorities have called him a ‘contact case.’
“He will have another test today, but even if it’s negative again, he’s got to stay in quarantine without moving from his home in Andorra for 10 days.
“The plan is to have another test next Wednesday and if this one is negative as well, he will be able to travel to Valencia and participate in Valencia II.
“This is very unfortunate, everybody was very careful. We are deeply sorry for that.
“We just hope that Iker will keep negative on the next tests and that we can see him next week here.
“Don’t forget, this is his home grand prix and him and the team were expecting so much from these two races, that it’s a real pity.
“But with how the world is at the moment, unfortunately things like this are happening. Again, we hope everything will be back to normal next week.
“Of course, he won’t be replaced for this event, therefore the whole Red Bull KTM Tech3 team will concentrate on our sole rider, Miguel Oliveira.”
