Tommy Bridewell will step up to the WorldSBK Championship for the next event at Motorland Aragon after being called on to deputise for the injured Iker Lecuona at Honda.

The 2023 British Superbike Champion is already firmly established within the wider Honda family as a development rider having joined the manufacturer for the 2024 BSB season.

It’s a role that will now include a racing opportunity in place of Lecuona, who remains out of action following an injury sustained in a pile-up at the Balaton Park round in Hungary. He was previously replaced by Sergio Garcia for the most recent round at Magny-Cours.

For Bridewell, it will be his second appearance in WorldSBK this year after taking in a wild-card appearance for Honda Racing UK during the British event at Donington Park.

However, he is no stranger for stepping into the shoes of an injured party having subbed for Leon Camier at Team Go Eleven Ducati during two events of the 2019 WorldSBK season. 

He will be paired with Xavi Vierge, who was recently confirmed to be exiting Honda at the end of the year after four seasons.

As it stands, Honda WorldSBK is yet to confirm its riders for the 2026 WorldSBK season but the exit of Vierge and confirmation that Lecuona will join the factory Ducati squad assures it will field an all-new line-up.

Strong paddock rumours suggest this will be Moto2 race winner Jake Dixon and current Honda MotoGP rider Somkiat Chantra.