RNF Racing has confirmed Raul Fernandez has been forced to withdraw from the French MotoGP after deciding risking further damage to his injured arm at Le Mans this weekend.

The Spaniard completed only three slow laps of the Bugatti venue before returning to the pit-lane and calling time on his participation in France.

His exit deals a second blow to the Malaysian team following the withdrawal of lead rider Miguel Oliveira, who suffered a fractured shoulder in an accident on the opening lap of the Spanish MotoGP at Jerez.

"He tried to ride, but after just three laps in Practice one, [decided he] had to understand that the condition of his right arm doesn’t allow him to ride his Aprilia RS-GP the way he wants to. The Spaniard will need to skip the rest of the French GP in order to recover for the next round."

Fernandez has been suffering with an injury to his arm for some time and would have likely opted to skip the French MotoGP and focus on returning to full strength for Round 6 at Mugello had Oliveira not been forced to withdraw more urgently.

The Spaniard is currently competing in his second season of MotoGP but is enduring another trying campaign with just two points' finishes to his name and a best result of 14th.

RNF Aprilia will run just a single bike for Oliveira's substitute, Aprilia Racing test rider Lorenzo Savadori.