Maverick Vinales will miss another race. Tech3 has confirmed that Pol Espargaro will once again ride for KTM Tech3 at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. This marks Espargaro's fourth consecutive appearance this season, having previously competed at Silverstone, Aragon, and Misano.
Vinales has not raced since the German GP on July 12, where he retired in the closing stages. The Spaniard's injury has required a longer recovery than initially expected. So far in 2026, he has completed only eight grands prix and scored points in just four of them.
The decision to field Espargaro is a logical one. As KTM's official test and development rider, he is the ideal choice to maintain the team's performance at the Austrian manufacturer's home race. Moreover, Espargaro is juggling multiple roles: besides racing, he is working with Dani Pedrosa on developing KTM's 850cc bike for 2027, and even tested at Mugello on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Austria.
Tech3 team manager Nicolas Goyon welcomed Espargaro's return. "It means a lot to have Pol for our factory's home race in Austria," he said. "Every time he gets on the bike, he looks more comfortable and competitive, and Misano was another positive step forward. We know we can count on his experience and professionalism, and we are looking forward to seeing him race in front of the 'orange tide' this weekend."
Espargaro has scored points in two of the three races he has contested. However, Goyon stressed that the team's priority remains Vinales' recovery. "At the same time, our priority remains supporting Maverick's recovery and we hope to have him back with us as soon as possible," he added.
Tech3 remains hopeful that Vinales will recover in time to return when the championship moves to Japan. That hope was previously expressed ahead of Misano and repeated before Spielberg. However, there is still no definite timeline for his comeback.
For KTM, Espargaro's presence at the Red Bull Ring provides a boost. A home race always has a special atmosphere, and the direct support from the Austrian crowd adds extra motivation. Meanwhile, Vinales must continue working hard in rehabilitation to rejoin the team as soon as possible.
Baca Juga
Pol Espargaro kembali memperkuat Tech3 di MotoGP Austria 2026, menggantikan Maverick Vinales yang masih cedera. Simak analisis lengkapnya.
Pol Espargaro kembali menggantikan Maverick Vinales di Tech3 untuk MotoGP Austria 2026. Simak peran gandanya sebagai test rider KTM dan harapan tim.
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