Pol Espargaro will return to MotoGP racing this weekend at the Brno Grand Prix as a replacement for Maverick Vinales, who is sidelined due to injury. This marks Espargaro’s first Brno race in several years and puts him back in action with the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team.
Vinales, the Spaniard, suffered a significant left shoulder injury following a wet qualifying crash at the Sachsenring last Saturday. After undergoing surgery in Italy earlier this week, he has begun a rehabilitation program with plans to return at KTM’s home event, the Red Bull Ring, in August.
Technical Dynamics and Team Adjustments
With Vinales unavailable, KTM has called on Espargaro, who serves as the team’s test rider and will compete with the RC16 starting in 2025. Alongside Espargaro, Enea Bastianini is also returning to the Tech3 lineup after missing Sachsenring due to appendicitis. This combination aims to maintain KTM’s competitive presence at Brno.
Reflecting on his return, Espargaro acknowledged the circumstances of his participation:
“Obviously, it’s never a good thing to take part in a GP because you have to replace an injured rider,”
he said.
“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.”
Espargaro’s History and Expectations at Brno
Espargaro has fond memories of Brno, where he previously qualified sixth and was contending for a win before a collision ended his chances in 2020. That race also saw teammate Brad Binder secure KTM’s inaugural premier-class victory.
He added,
“It’s been a long time since our last visit to Brno, which is a fantastic track.”
Espargaro is curious about performing on the updated track surface, noting,
“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.”
Regarding his expectations, he maintained a measured outlook:
“I don’t have any expectations apart from enjoying the weekend and having some useful days for our project.”
Team Support and Leadership Comments
Tech3 team manager Nicolas Goyon welcomed Espargaro’s return, describing him as
“An old friend returns to our garage.”
He highlighted the long-standing relationship with Espargaro, from his MotoGP debut through to his most recent full season in 2023, and expressed anticipation to see how Espargaro performs on Brno’s refreshed tarmac:
“Let’s see where Pol is able to place his KTM on the brand new tarmac of Brno.”
Aki Ajo, KTM Factory Racing team manager, expressed relief at Vinales’ surgical progress and readiness to use the recovery period to prepare for the team’s home race. He also acknowledged Espargaro’s role stepping in on short notice:
“We’re pleased that Maverick’s surgery has gone well so far and he now has a few extra weeks to get better and prepared for our home race in August,”
Ajo said.
“Thanks to Pol for stepping in and making sure our MotoGP effort can be at full strength for this Grand Prix.”
Ajo emphasized the consistent development the team has achieved this season and Espargaro’s valuable familiarity with the bike, the team, and the Brno circuit:
“We have been making progress every weekend up to this half-season point, and Pol obviously has deep knowledge of the bike, our work, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team and Brno itself.”
Recent Career Highlights of Espargaro
Pol Espargaro made three wild-card entries for KTM during the previous season and completed his most recent race at Misano, finishing tenth. This experience positions him well to support the team effectively during Vinales’ absence as they look to maintain momentum in the MotoGP championship.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. The unfortunate truth is that entertainment makes more money than sports, and MotoGP is attempting to profit from this trend. However, MotoGP currently lacks the personalities needed to generate enough excitement for entertainment.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Motorcycling isn’t as popular as football. Most people, about 90%, don’t feel connected to it, despite Liberty Media’s marketing efforts. In a world with many entertainment choices, this isn’t likely to change.
Q. Which is the fastest? MotoGP is faster. To give you an example. At the 2023 Misano MotoGP, the fastest lap time was 1:31.791 by Francesco Bagnaia with a top speed of 303.3 Km/h (188.46 mph) by Dani Pedrosa.
A. When comparing speeds, MotoGP bikes are generally faster than Superbikes. MotoGP serves as the top level of motorcycle racing, where bikes are built for pure performance. In contrast, Superbikes are modified from standard production models, so they tend to be slower. Though both types are fast, MotoGP stands out for its speed.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is known for being the only person to win world championships in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1. He displayed exceptional talent and courage in each sport.
