Aleix Espargaró returns to MotoGP after four broken vertebrae and two surgeries

News Summary

Aleix Espargaró returns to MotoGP at Mandalika after suffering four fractured vertebrae in a testing accident.
The Spaniard underwent two operations and admits he has not fully recovered.
Espargaró will replace Joan Mir at Honda, making his first MotoGP race appearance since Valencia in 2025.

Aleix Espargaró has revealed the extent of his difficult recovery ahead of an unexpected return to MotoGP at the Indonesian GP, admitting that he is still experiencing back pain after fracturing four vertebrae and undergoing two operations.

The 37-year-old Honda test rider will replace Joan Mir at Mandalika after the 2020 world champion was advised to continue his recovery. Espargaró has not competed in a MotoGP race weekend since Valencia in November 2025.

His return comes only months after a serious private testing accident at Sepang left him with multiple spinal fractures and required surgery.

Espargaró still feels pain after lengthy recovery

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS ahead of the Indonesian GP, Espargaró explained that the recovery had been considerably more demanding than observers might have realised.

He suffered four vertebral fractures, including two broken and two compressed vertebrae, before undergoing two surgical procedures. One operation involved stabilising the affected section of his spine.

Espargaró said he was happy to return but acknowledged that his back still becomes painful and fatigued, particularly after physical exertion.

He described the rehabilitation process as longer and harder than it had appeared from outside, while expressing gratitude for the opportunity to race again.

The Spaniard had previously revealed that one of his operations lasted more than six hours, with surgeons stabilising four vertebrae.

Honda return comes with limited preparation

Espargaró retired from full-time MotoGP competition at the end of 2024 and subsequently joined Honda as a development rider.

His 2026 testing programme was disrupted by the injury, limiting the mileage available to evaluate the RC213V.

Honda nevertheless turned to him for Indonesia because Mir remains unavailable, while other potential substitutes have their own commitments or injury concerns.

The manufacturer has emphasised that the objective is to allow Espargaró to regain familiarity with the motorcycle and contribute to development rather than impose ambitious race-result expectations.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO previously reported, Espargaró’s appearance also makes him the 32nd different rider to participate in the 2026 MotoGP season.

Mandalika will test his physical condition

Mandalika is particularly demanding because of its heat, humidity and rapid changes of direction, placing considerable strain on riders over a race distance.

Espargaró acknowledged before travelling that he had completed only limited laps since his injury and would approach the weekend with realistic expectations.

His return will also reunite him with Honda’s factory racing operation, including the crew led by Santi Hernández.

The Indonesian GP begins on Friday, October 9, with the sprint on Saturday and Grand Prix on Sunday.

GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the MotoGP championship.

MotoGP today: FAQ

Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship?

Jorge Martín leads the 2026 MotoGP World Championship with 333 points, just two ahead of Marc Márquez on 331. The gap was reduced at Motegi, where Márquez won both the sprint and Japanese GP.

What time is the Indonesian MotoGP at Mandalika?

The Indonesian GP starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 08:00 in the UK, 03:00 ET in the US and Canada and 12:30 in India. Saturday’s sprint also starts at 15:00 local time.

Has Marc Márquez ever won at Mandalika?

No. Márquez has never won or even finished the Sunday MotoGP race at Mandalika. His previous Indonesian GPs have been affected by crashes, injury and mechanical trouble. He arrives in 2026 only two points behind Martín.