LCR Honda will be without Alex Rins for a fifth successive MotoGP round as the Spaniard continues his convalescence from injury with Iker Lecuona once more standing in for him at the Catalunya MotoGP.

The Grand Prix of The Americas race winner hasn’t turned a wheel on the Honda RC213V since the Italian MotoGP after a heavy crash in the Sprint Race left him nursing a broken leg.

Leading him to miss the German, Dutch, British and Austrian rounds already, it means that despite there having been a lengthy six-week summer break too, Rins has been out of action now for almost three months.

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Not that he has been entirely resting, the six-time MotoGP race winner having time to thrash out a deal that will take him over to the Yamaha Racing team next season, with his seat assumed by Johann Zarco it has now been confirmed.

With Rins out of action, WorldSBK regular and former Tech 3 KTM rider Lecuona will hold onto the LCR seat for a third race in succession. It will be his fifth appearance for Honda this year, including his two outings on the Repsol Honda bike at Jerez and Assen.

Having been in the frame for a return to MotoGP with LCR next season have been quashed by Zarco’s confirmation, Lecuona might still have a shot at getting back on the premier class grid next year.

Indeed, with fresh paddock gossip suggesting Joan Mir could be seeking a way out of his Honda’s contract in favour of a move to Ducati - most likely Gresini Racing - it could open up a berth for Lecuona on the factory Repsol machine.