Key takeaways
- Aragon absence confirmed: Maverick Viñales will miss the Aragon Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, with KTM test driver Pol Espargaró expected to substitute for him once again.
- Injury root cause: Scans at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Center in Austria revealed a small tear in the infraspinatus muscle, a lingering issue tied back to his 2025 German GP crash at Sachsenring.
- Misano target & uncertain future: Choosing conservative treatment over season-ending surgery, Viñales targets a return at Misano, amid an uncertain contractual future with Tech3 and KTM for 2027.
Maverick Viñales continues his race against time to recover from shoulder issues and is expected to miss out on the Tech3 seat once again at this weekend’s Aragon Grand Prix. According to Italian broadcaster Sky, the Spaniard will not be on the grid at MotorLand. Pol Espargaró, KTM’s test driver, is expected to step in as his replacement once more.
Viñales has been suffering from shoulder problems since a crash at the 2025 German GP at Sachsenring. During this year’s summer break, new examinations carried out at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center in Austria identified a small lesion in the infraspinatus muscle, located in the posterior region of the scapula. The issue previously forced the Spaniard to miss the British GP at Silverstone.
According to the Italian broadcaster, ‘Top Gun’ opted for a conservative treatment plan, as surgery at this stage would cause the rider to miss the entire final stretch of the season. The chosen strategy aims to get him fit enough to return at the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini GP in Misano in early September.
Viñales faces a dramatic situation in MotoGP and is unlikely to remain at Tech3 for the 2027 season. Even with an eventual recovery, his contractual situation, relationship with KTM, and the few remaining spots on the grid signal an end to rider #12’s tenure in the premier class.
On Tech3’s side, Enea Bastianini confirmed his transfer to Trackhouse for next year. As a result, Luca Marini and Senna Agius have emerged as the frontrunners to fill the seats at KTM’s satellite team for the start of MotoGP’s new technical regulations.
MotoGP returns to action between August 28–30 for the Aragon Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers the entire weekend schedule, as well as all other categories in the World Motorcycle Championship. Follow all updates on our news page.
Tech3 KTM Driver Situation (Aragon GP)
| Rider | Status |
| Maverick Viñales | Out (Infraspinatus muscle injury) |
| Pol Espargaró | Expected Stand-in Replacement (KTM Test Driver) |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What specific injury is keeping Maverick Viñales out of the Aragon GP?
Viñales is recovering from a lesion in the infraspinatus muscle near his shoulder blade, linked to a crash at Sachsenring in 2025.
2. Who will replace Maverick Viñales at Tech3 for the Aragon Grand Prix?
KTM test driver Pol Espargaró is expected to fill in for Viñales at MotorLand Aragon.
3. When is Maverick Viñales planning to return to competition?
Viñales is targeting a return for the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix at Misano in early September.
