Pol Espargaro will return to MotoGP action at this weekend’s Czech Grand Prix, as KTM’s test rider rejoins his old Tech3 team to replace the injured Maverick Vinales.
Vinales is recovering from a fractured shoulder which he sustained in qualifying at last weekend’s German round of the championship, forcing him to miss a MotoGP race through injury for the first time. The team had no starters in that race as Enea Bastianini also missed out due to appendicitis.
Espargaro last raced in MotoGP at Misano last year finishing 10th - one of his three wildcard appearances - but has not appeared in 2025 as part of the budget cuts that came with the financial difficulties that KTM has spent most of the past 12 months dealing with.
Espargaro welcomed the chance to make an unexpected return to action despite the circumstances.
"Obviously, it’s never a good thing to take part in a GP because you have to replace an injured rider," said Espargaro.
"So, first of all, I want to wish a speedy recovery to Maverick. I will try to do my best this weekend, also trying to help as much as possible my team-mates and the technicians.
“It’s been a long time since our last visit to Brno, which is a fantastic track. The last time we raced here I felt super-good in my best period with KTM so let’s see how it is with the new surface.
"I don’t have any expectations apart from enjoying the weekend and having some useful days for our project."
On the other side of the Tech3 garage, the team will welcome back Bastianini, who was hospitalised with appendicitis.
After being treated with antibiotics rather than surgically, he has been passed fit to ride as the series returns to Brno for the first time since 2020, and says he’s feeling much better after a week of bed rest.
“It was really tough for me to remain in bed for so long and unable to join the team at the German Grand Prix, but I gave myself the time to recover properly in order to arrive in Brno in good shape," said Bastianini.
“I am excited to reunite with the team and get back to work! It will be the first time for me on a MotoGP bike in Brno, and for many of us to be fair. It is going to be interesting to see how we manage the weekend!"
One rider who will not return this weekend at Brno is Franco Morbidelli.
The VR46 rider, fifth in the championship, missed the German Grand Prix after a left shoulder injury following a crash in the sprint race.
"Following two days of medical checks, physiotherapy sessions and rest, we decided together with the team to miss this GP at Brno," he said.
"It's always difficult to take decisions like this, but after a heavy crash like the one I had in Sachsenring – and in this moment of the championship before the summer break – it doesn't make any sense to take risks, because the pain is still persistent.
"Obviously, it's not an easy moment, but I received a lot of support from all my team, the VR46 Riders Academy and all the fans who look forward to seeing me fully recovered.
"This weekend I will be at Brno because I want to keep working with my staff, and the team gives me the opportunity of continuing at the track all the physiotherapy program to come back to Austria as much recovered as possible."
