Tech3-KTM: Pol Espargaro instead of Vinales also in Spielberg

– Maverick Vinales has not been on the MotoGP bike since the German Grand Prix in mid-July at the Sachsenring. And that will remain the case for a while. At the Austrian race weekend in Spielberg, which is now imminent, Pol Espargaro will step in once again for Vinales in the Tech3 team after Silverstone, Aragon, and Misano.

“Pol Espargaro will compete for Tech3 at the Austrian Grand Prix on the Red Bull Ring, representing Maverick Vinales. As the official KTM test and reserve rider, Espargaro will once again be on the MotoGP starting grid to represent the company’s colors in Austria. It will be his fourth consecutive outing for the team,” said a statement released by Tech3 on Tuesday.

In addition to his appearances as Vinales’ replacement, Espargaro is busy in KTM’s MotoGP program developing the 850cc motorcycle for the 2027 season. He is carrying out this task together with Dani Pedrosa, the second KTM test rider.

This week, Espargaro is testing the 850cc bike in Mugello. On Monday, immediately after the Austrian Grand Prix, he will conduct the 850cc test in Spielberg, where all factory teams are expected. Regarding Espargaro’s race outings with the 1,000cc KTM, P13 in Silverstone was his most successful this year. Last weekend in Misano, he surprised on Friday by directly qualifying for Q2.

“It means a lot to us to have Pol in the team for the home race of our brand in Austria,” says Tech3 team manager Nicolas Goyon, emphasizing: “He gets better with every day he spends on this motorcycle. Misano was another positive step. We know we can count on his experience and professionalism and look forward to seeing him in orange this weekend.”

“At the same time,” Goyon continues, “it remains our priority to support Maverick in his recovery. We hope he will return as early as possible.” Although Vinales’ recovery from the shoulder injury, which originally occurred at the Sachsenring weekend in 2025, is proving lengthy, Tech3 remains hopeful according to the Tuesday statement that Vinales “will be fit again in time for the Japan weekend.”