Fermin Aldeguer will miss the next Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, with Gresini announcing that its rider remains sidelined by a hand fracture. Iker Lecuona will continue to fill the vacant seat after returning to Gresini colours. Lecuona is currently runner-up in the WorldSBK standings.

Aldeguer was injured at Mandalika during a difficult spell for the Spaniard. After sliding off the track early in the Indonesian Grand Prix, he appears to have hit the asphalt in frustration and fractured his hand.

The injury picture heading to Sepang

Aldeguer was one of five MotoGP riders expected to miss the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. The other four were Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez. Mir, Marini and Fernandez were expected back at Sepang, while Martin’s participation remained uncertain after he fractured his radius in Saturday’s Sprint.

Aprilia ruled out suspicion of a second fracture and announced that Martin would stay for the necessary treatment over the following days. In the Australian Sprint, Aldeguer’s team-mate Alex Marquez finished second behind Marc Marquez after Martin crashed while fighting for victory.