MIE Racing Honda’ Leandro Marcado will take no part in this weekend’s round six of the World Superbike Championship after ♐testing positive for Covid-19. 

The Argentinian is said to not be showing any symptoms by the team bꦓut that he will not go into isolation. 

This adds to an already difficult start 🅠to 2021 in which Mercado has only competed in two rounds - Aragon and Assen last time out. 

Mercado is not the only rider who has been affected by Covid-19 heading into the weekend - WorldSSP300 rideꩲr Indy Offer has suffered the same outcome. 

Me☂rcado said: "I am very frustrated about this situation because I was so eager to race and to continue the work we are doing with the team. 

"But I will have to watch the races on television again, which isn’t nice of course. However, the important thing is that I'm fine and don't have any symptoms, so I hope to be b🐎ack as soon as possible. 

"I would like ☂to thank the whole team, as they are supporting me in every way, and I look forward to being back with them very soon because I am highly motivated to continue to improve with my Honda."

M🦄ercado will be replaced by Italian rider Alessandro Delbianco who prev🐟iously raced for Honda in 2019. 

Mercado joins fellow riders Eugene Laverty (internal team restructuring) and Luca൩s Mahias (injury) reasons in being absent from this week෴end, while Jonas Folger will find out today whether he’s been declared fit to race following his injuries suffered in Assen.