LECUONA FORCED TO MISS EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX

Iker Lecuona forced to miss European Grand Prix – Photo: LAT

Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider Iker Lecuona has been forced to miss this weekend’s MotoGP European Grand Prix after his brother tested positive to COVID-19.

By DAN McCARTHY

As he had come in close contact with his brother, Lecuona has been forced to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days before taking another PCR test.

The Spaniard MotoGP rider returned a negative PCR test on Tuesday, but his brother (who is also his assistant) returned a positive test.

Lecuona lives with his brother in Andorra, and needs to undergo another PCR test in order to confirm his negative result.

Due to Andorran law, Lecuona will be forced to quarantine for 10 days no matter what the next test result is, and it means that the 20-year-old will not be allowed to partake in the European GP in Valencia.

Tech3 team manager Herve Poncharal is disappointed that Lecuona will not be able to race this weekend after recording his joint best result of the season in the Teruel Grand Prix.

“We are very sad to announce that Iker Lecuona won’t be participating in the Gran Premio de Europa this weekend,” he confirmed.

“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 ‘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.”

Poncharal explained that it is quite possible that Lecuona will be able to return to the racetrack for next week’s race at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia also.

“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,” Poncharal said.

“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, unfortunate 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.”

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