Mikhalchik will replace the five-time Worl♚dSBK race winner following a fractured leg injury that was sustained during a mountain bike accident two weeks ago. 

Van Der Mark, who claim🦄ed BMW’s first WorldSBK win in eight years during the 2021 Superpole race in Portimao, missed last week’s two-day Misano test, which was crucially the German manufacturer’s first outing of 2022. 

While it remain🍎s to be seen whether Van Der Mark will be fit in time for next month’s season opener which takes place at Aragon (8-10),🐼 Mikhalchik will make his WorldSBK debut during a two-day test in Barcelona (March 25-26). 

The Ukrainian rider will then take par꧒t in the official Dorna-run test at MotorLand Aragon on April 4-5.🥀 

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, said this about the decision to call up Mikhalchik: "First of all, we wish Michael a good and speedy recovery, of course. His absence shortly before the start of the season is obviously very unfortunate.

"With him being absent we partly were missing a reference to last year’s topics which made the test work a 💛bit more difficult. However, in Ilya we have a very good replacement, who will stand in for him at the next two tests. 

"With him we can now wor🏅k through the test list, fine-tune the 2022 package and Michael’s crew can gel. Ilya knows the BMW M 1000 RR well and is t🍸hus able to provide valuable input. 

"He is a strong BMW factory rider and has thus earned the opportunity to test the WorldSB🙈K package. 

"Nevertheless, our two days of testing have been overall very constructive. Our new riders could gather experience with the BMW M꧅ 1000 RR and get acquainted with the new developments."

🌞The well-established Endurance Worওld Championship rider is no stranger to the WorldSBK paddock after having previously competed in WorldSSP.