Gronholm ruled out for Spa, while Duval claims seat at ES-Motorsport.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gronholm RX. 

Niclas Gronholm to miss Spa World RX of Benelux due to an illness, while former European Rallycross Championship race winner Francois Duval will drive for ESMotorsport Labas-Gas.

Gronholm currently second in the World RX drivers' standings will not compete at the third round of the championship after being admitted to hospital with appendicitis. 

In a statement, the team said: "Due to the appendicitis operation Niclas Grönholm won't be on the start grid of Spa World RX of Benelux. Don't worry - Niclas will be back for #WorldRX Round 4 in Silverstone."

The Finnish squad have confirmed that Joni Wiman will now be eligible to collect points in the Teams' Standings.

Belgium's François Duval joins the ESMotorsport Labas-Gas team in Spa, replacing Rokas Baciuska. 

An official statement from the team said, "due to a contractual disagreement, Rokas Baciuska has been replaced for the Spa World RX of Benelux by François Duval."

Baciuska being replaced comes as real surprise since he signed a deal with the Lithuanian team to compete in the full season. 

Duval is excited to make his World RX debut at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. "I am very happy to finally be present for this first world rallycross event on the Spa-Francorchamps track," he said. 

"All was done at the last minute. I know it will not be easy to be competitive against top teams and top cars but I will drive without pressure, essentially for fun and for my fans."

TEXT - Junaid Samodien