The Red Bull KTM Tech3 team has confirmed that Maverick Viñales will be sitting out the Grand Prix of Spain as he focuses on getting back to 100% fitness. After undergoing corrective surgery at the end of March, the Spaniard had already made the tough call to skip the Austin round. It turns out a screw from a previous shoulder op had shifted, and while his recovery is moving along nicely, the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez has just come a fraction too soon for him. It is still a wonder how much these riders put their body on the line every race weeekend and still race with injuries that takes us mere mortals months of recovery.
The Reserve Rider Bad Luck
You’d think the solution would be simple: bring in the reserve. The original plan was to have Pol Espargaró jump back on the bike. He’s a familiar face for the Tech3 crew, but lady luck hasn’t been on his side either. A hand injury in the run-up to the weekend has side lined him, leaving the team in a bit of a spot.
After scouting around for a competitive replacement on such short notice, KTM and Tech3 have decided to keep things simple. Instead of rushing someone onto the grid, they’ll be contesting the Jerez MotoGP weekend with just a single bike.
While one side of the garage is under dust sheets, Enea Bastianini is looking to keep the momentum rolling. He’s heading into the first European round of the 2026 MotoGP season on a high after a brilliant third-place finish in the Austin Sprint. The Italian is feeling more confident by the lap and is keen to lead the charge for the team.
Maverick Viñales: “It’s obviously disappointing not to be racing at Jerez. It’s a huge event for me and the first of my home races. I know my body well though and right now the priority is to recover properly, the target is to be ready for Le Mans.”
Nicolas Goyon, the Team Manager, echoed that sentiment, noting that the goal is to have Viñales back for the French Grand Prix. He admitted it was “unfortunate” that Pol couldn’t step in, but emphasized that focusing on one bike was the most professional way forward.
Even the CEO, Guenther Steiner, weighed in with his trademark bluntness, “I don’t ask for these situations, but somehow they keep turning up anyway. First Maverick is recovering, then Pol injures his hand, and suddenly the plan changes very quickly.”
