Mikhalchik will replace the five-time WorldSBK race w🐭inner following a fractured leg injury that was sustainജed during a mountain bike accident two weeks ago. 

Van Der Mark, who claimed 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 r🃏emains 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 ride♉r will then take part in the official Dorna-run test at MotorLan💮d 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 ve🎀ry good replacement, who will stand in 🗹for him at the next two tests. 

"With him we can now work through the test list, fine-tune the 2022 package and Michael’s crew c⭕an gel. Ilya knows the BMW M 1000 RR well and is thus able t♍o provide valuable input. 

"He is a strong BMW factory rid🅰er and has thus earned the🦩 opportunity to test the WorldSBK 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 World Championship rider is no stranger to the WorldSB♛K paddo🉐ck after having previously competed in WorldSSP.