Key takeaways
- Viñales remains sidelined: Maverick Viñales will miss the Aragon GP to focus on his recovery from an undiagnosed shoulder injury discovered earlier this month.
- Espargaró retained as deputy: Test rider Pol Espargaró will continue to pilot the Tech3 KTM RC16 alongside Enea Bastianini at MotorLand Aragon.
- Targeting Misano return: Tech3 and KTM set the San Marino Grand Prix (September 11–13) as the new target date for Viñales’ return to action.
Tech3 confirmed on Tuesday (25) that Maverick Viñales will remain absent from MotoGP as he continues treatment for an ongoing shoulder injury. Consequently, the French squad led by Günther Steiner announced that Pol Espargaró will ride the KTM RC16 at this weekend’s Aragon Grand Prix.
Earlier in August, Tech3 revealed that after making little physical recovery progress, Viñales sought further medical consultations and discovered a previously undiagnosed shoulder injury. Due to this new treatment regimen, the Spaniard missed the British Grand Prix and will now be forced to sit out at MotorLand Aragon as well.
According to the team, Viñales continues to work closely with medical staff, KTM, and Tech3 to achieve full recovery. The revised target is to have the Spanish rider back on track for the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix, scheduled for September 11–13.
“Together with Maverick and KTM, we decided that Pol will continue with us in Aragon so that Maverick can remain focused on his recovery,” explained Nicolas Goyon, Tech3 Team Manager. “Pol did a solid job for the team in Silverstone, and his experience puts him in a good position to do it again.”
“The most important thing for us is that Maverick takes all the time he needs to recover properly. We are supporting this process and remain hopeful that we can welcome him back in Misano,” Goyon stressed. “Until then, we will focus on Aragon and continue giving Pol and Enea [Bastianini] our full support,” he concluded.
This injury setback comes during a turbulent campaign for Viñales, who risks finding himself without a seat on the MotoGP grid. The Spaniard recently criticized KTM, accusing the manufacturer of backtracking after he had already signed a contract extension, while expressing deep dissatisfaction with his current situation in the premier class.
With KTM taking advantage of the MotoGP break to service its engines and Jack Miller seeing his MotoGP departure nearing after 12 seasons, the driver market continues to shift rapidly as the season progresses.
MotoGP returns to action from August 28–30 for the Aragon Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete coverage of all sessions across every class of the World Motorcycle Championship. Follow all updates on our news page.
Tech3 KTM Driver Lineup: Aragon GP
| Position | Rider | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bike #23 | Enea Bastianini | Regular Entry |
| Bike #12 | Maverick Viñales | Out (Injury Recovery) |
| Replacement | Pol Espargaró | Confirmed for Aragon GP |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Why is Maverick Viñales missing the Aragon Grand Prix?
Maverick Viñales is sitting out the Aragon GP to undergo specialized medical treatment for an undiagnosed shoulder injury.
2. Who is substituting for Maverick Viñales at Tech3 in Aragon?
KTM test rider Pol Espargaró will fill in for Viñales aboard the Tech3 RC16 at MotorLand Aragon, just as he did at Silverstone.
3. When is Maverick Viñales expected to return to MotoGP competition?
Tech3 and KTM are aiming for Viñales to return at the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano, scheduled for September 11–13, 2026.
