Image: Simon Cudby.

Team Honda HRC has drafted in Swedish super-sub Fredrik Noren to replace the injured Trey Canard ahead of round three of the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season this weekend at Thunder Valley, Colorado.

Noren finished 10th in the standings last season after taking on a similar role at Team Honda during the latter stages of the season, which led to him being a factory test rider this year.

With Canard yet to fully recover from his broken left arm sustained during supercross, Noren will ride the factory CRF450R for at least the next three rounds of the season, after which the situation will be reevaluated based on Canard’s status. Noren also serves as the official test rider for Team Honda HRC.

“The relationship I have with Honda is awesome,” Noren said. “Everyone on the racing team is great and I’m very thankful for the opportunities they’ve given me. I’m happy to get another chance to fill in on the team, but I’m also bummed because it means Trey is hurt – I’d rather have him out there racing too. I’m looking forward to giving my best effort and to working together with the team to keep improving.”

It’s also been confirmed this week that Christian Craig will join GEICO Honda in place of the injured Justin Bogle until he is fit to return to racing later in the season.