Pol Espargaro Replaces Vinales Again for San Marino MotoGP
Pol Espargaro will ride for Tech3 KTM at the San Marino Grand Prix, replacing the injured Maverick Vinales for a third consecutive race.
Pol Espargaro will once again substitute for Maverick Vinales at the Tech3 KTM team for next week's San Marino Grand Prix. Vinales continues to recover from a left shoulder injury sustained in a qualifying crash at the Sachsenring last year.
Vinales will miss the Misano event "as he continues his recovery." The Spaniard underwent surgery on April 1 to have a screw removed from the injured area, which was believed to be the source of his ongoing issues. Despite the procedure, his performances since returning to action at Barcelona in mid-May have not met expectations.
Vinales's Ongoing Recovery and Contract Conflict
Vinales's recovery has been inconsistent. He missed several races early in the 2026 season before the operation. The summer break was expected to allow a full return to form, but physical problems have persisted. His absence is also linked to a conflict between KTM and Tech3 over his contract. Last month, Motorsport.com revealed that KTM intended to drop Vinales for the remainder of the season.
Tech3 team director Nicolas Goyon addressed the situation. "While our priority remains supporting Maverick in his recovery, we are pleased to have Pol back with us in Misano," Goyon said. He praised Espargaro's professionalism and experience.
Espargaro's Recent Performances
Espargaro has already filled in for Vinales at the British and Aragon Grands Prix. He scored three championship points with a 13th-place finish at Silverstone. He followed that with a 16th-place result in Aragon. The rider is also involved in development work on KTM's new 850cc prototype motorcycle.
His recent results for Tech3 KTM are summarized below:
| Grand Prix | Finish Position | Points Scored |
|---|---|---|
| British GP | 13th | 3 |
| Aragon GP | 16th | 0 |
Team Outlook for Misano
The team is looking forward to Espargaro's return. Goyon noted that Espargaro knows the team well and brings valuable experience. "Returning to MotoGP is never easy, but Pol brings valuable experience and we are looking forward to working with him again in San Marino," Goyon explained. The team wishes Vinales a more satisfactory recovery and hopes to see him back when he is fully ready.
The situation remains fluid. Vinales's future for the rest of the season is uncertain amid the reported contract dispute. For now, Pol Espargaro prepares to race the KTM in Misano.
