Pol Espargaro is set to return to the MotoGP grid as he takes the place of Maverick Vinales at the upcoming San Marino Grand Prix. This decision comes after Vinales has struggled with a shoulder injury sustained during a qualifying crash at the Sachsenring last year, which has significantly impacted his performance this season.
Vinales has faced a challenging recovery journey, missing several races early in the 2026 season. His situation worsened when he underwent surgery on April 1 to remove a screw from his shoulder, which was believed to be causing ongoing issues. Despite the operation, Vinales has not been able to regain his competitive edge. Since returning to the track in mid-May at the Barcelona GP, his results have fallen short of expectations, prompting concerns about his future with the team.
Recent reports indicated that KTM was considering dropping Vinales for the remainder of the season due to his ongoing physical struggles and a conflict regarding his contract. As a result, Tech3 KTM has turned to Espargaro, who has already competed in the British and Aragon Grands Prix this season, to fill the void.
Tech3 director Nicolas Goyon expressed support for Vinales while welcoming Espargaro back to the team. He stated, "While our priority remains supporting Maverick in his recovery, we are pleased to have Pol back with us in Misano. Pol knows the team very well and has already demonstrated his professionalism and commitment in his two latest appearances this season. Returning to MotoGP is never easy, but Pol brings valuable experience and we are looking forward to working with him again in San Marino. We wish Maverick a more satisfactory recovery and hope to see him again when he is ready."
Espargaro's previous outings this season have seen him score points, finishing 13th at Silverstone and 16th at Aragon. His role with the team includes helping to develop KTM's new 850cc prototype, which is crucial for the brand's future in the competitive MotoGP landscape.
The San Marino Grand Prix, taking place next week, will be an important event for Espargaro as he aims to make a strong impact while stepping in for Vinales. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on both riders: Vinales as he continues his recovery and Espargaro as he seeks to capitalize on this opportunity with Tech3 KTM.
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