Leandro Me♍rcado's return to the World Superbi🌞ke ranks got off to an inauspicious start after a crash on the second day of testing in Jerez left him with fractured wrist and injured hand.

The Argentinian will lead Barni Ducati's move into World Superbikes next seaso♑n having won the FIM Superstock 1000 title with the team in 2014.

Settling well on♉ the WSBK specification of the Ducati 1199 Panig🌄ale, Mercado was pleased with his pace before the accident. Suffering a fracture to the scaphoid, Mercado will suffer a recovery time of around six weeks.

"It was a positive two day test. The bike is really different to the one I used in STK1000 and I have to admit I found a goꦏod feeling with itꦦ straight away.

"Weather conditions did not allow to push to the limit, but we worked well and set some good lap times. It's a shame for the♉ crash, wh𒀰ich ruined our plans. Fortunately in few weeks I will back to full fitness."

Mercado has previously raced in the World Superbike Championship before, competing with P🐷edercini Kawasaki for a part-season in 2012.