Iker Lecuona spun his first laps aboard the Honda Fireblade this week before being forced to end the WorldSBK early due to injury.

Described as ‘a satisfying opening day of intense work’ Lecuona’s first outing with Team HRC at Circuit de Jerez - Angel Nieto came to an abrupt end on Thursday after hitting his left hand in a fall at the final right-hand corner, turn 12, after just 12 laps on track.

Taken to the medical centre and then on to Jerez hospital for a thorough check-up, Lecuona has been cleared of any serious injuries, but a fracture to the little finger on his left hand has forced the former MotoGP rider out of tomorrow’s final day of testing.

His Honda teammate Xavi Vierge will continue for Friday’s concluding action, while doctors will check on Lecuona’s recovery in the next few days.

Thursday saw the HRC rookies sitting third and fourth in the unofficial times and running low 1’40 pace. BMW’s Michael van der Mark topped the standings with a 1’39.788, just over a tenth from his new teammate Scott Redding.