Alex Rins will make a long-awaited return to the grid at this weekend’s Japanese MotoGP after being given the all-clear to compete following his long lay-off through injury.

The Spaniard has been sidelined in recovery since crashing heavily during the Italian MotoGP Sprint Race at Mugello, Rins suffering a complex fractured leg.

The injury has kept him out of action on the LCR Honda for more than three months, during which time he has been forced to miss seven events.

However, he is back for his first - and only - home round as a Honda rider before he makes his switch to the Monster Energy Yamaha Racing team for the 2024 MotoGP season.

Writing on social media, he said: “The bone is regenerating, the recovery is progressing, so we are trying the next step, which is riding a MotoGP [bike] to see how we feel.”

Rins remains the only rider to win a race for Honda this season following his victory in the Grand Prix of The Americas. Coupled with the staccato form of his team-mates across the Repsol and LCR teams, it means Rins remains Honda’s best-placed rider in the overall standings despite his long absence.