Returns: KTM Tech 3 MotoGP rider Iker Lacuana will miss the Valencia Grand Prix after testing positive for the Covid-19 when he arrives in Spain from Ondora this weekend, his team said on Saturday.
Lacuna missed last week’s European Grand Prix after being separated for 10 days on the same circuit because his brother, with whom he lives in Andorra, tested positive.
Endorsement authorities allowed him to travel to Valencia after a negative test on Wednesday, but the 20-year-old returned the positive test on Saturday morning.
KTM Tech 3 said Lakuana was showing no symptoms.
“We have the sad news today,” team manager Herve Poncherl said in a statement. Although Ecker has been tested negative three times, the last test he took this morning at the entrance to the circuit was positive.
“Therefore, he will not be able to enter the circuit and will not participate in the Grand Primio de la Comunitate Valenciana.
“He will also be tested to see if he can ever travel to Portugal to play in the final Grand Prix of the season in Portimau.”
Lakuana is in 17th place with 27 points. He is the second MotoGP rider after Valentino Rossi of Italy to miss a race this season due to the novel coronavirus.
(Reporting by Srivathsha Sridhar in Bangalore; Edited by Kim Kogil)
