Pol Espargaro steps in for the injured Maverick Vinales in Brno – Jorge Martin celebrates his long-awaited comeback – Franco Morbidelli continues to sit out
After the MotoGP field was reduced due to injuries at the Sachsenring, 23 riders are registered for the Czech Grand Prix this weekend, despite the absence of two regular riders, Somkiat Chantra and Maverick Vinales. However, they will be replaced and there will be a wildcard starter.
Yamaha is sending test rider Augusto Fernandez into the race as a fifth man. The Spaniard has already competed in the Grands Prix in Austin, Qatar, and Aragon this season.
However, the biggest news on the starting list for Brno is the return of Jorge Martin, who had to take a 98-day break due to an injury he sustained on April 13 at the Qatar Grand Prix and is now celebrating his long-awaited comeback.
“I can’t wait to get back on the bike,” said the reigning MotoGP world champion ahead of the race. “I’m really happy that this moment has finally arrived. We still have a lot of work to do together with Aprilia, but we have great potential to do well. Now it’s time to start building and aim for a strong end to the season.”
LCR Honda rider Chantra, on the other hand, will have to sit out Brno after undergoing knee surgery prior to the German Grand Prix and will therefore remain sidelined. While LCR decided not to bring in a replacement for Sachsenring, Honda test rider Takaaki Nakagami has been nominated as a stand-in for Brno.
Maverick Vinales, who was injured in a crash during wet qualifying at the Sachsenring and underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder in Italy on Monday, is also out. The German Grand Prix was the first race in his ten-year MotoGP career that he has missed due to injury.
Brno will be his second. KTM confirmed Pol Espargaro as his replacement on Wednesday. The Spaniard, who is also a TV expert in addition to his test rider duties, had already hinted on Sunday at the Sachsenring that he would have to swap the microphone for a helmet and leathers to replace Vinales in Brno.
This will be Espargaro’s debut in the 2025 MotoGP season after competing in three Grands Prix last year. “Of course, it’s never nice to take part in a Grand Prix because you have to replace an injured rider. So first of all, I wish Maverick a speedy recovery,” Espargaro emphasized.
“I’ll try to do my best this weekend and at the same time help my teammate and technicians as much as possible. It’s been a long time since we were last in Brno – it’s a fantastic track. Last time I was there, I felt great with KTM at the peak,” he recalls of 2020. “Let’s see how I get on with the new tire compound.”
Bastianini and Morbidelli on the entry list
He will be joined by Enea Bastianini, who is returning to Tech3. After his appendicitis, which ruled him out of the German Grand Prix, he has made a “satisfactory recovery.”
Franco Morbidelli is also expected in Brno after his serious crash at the Sachsenring. The Italian suffered a severe bruise to his left collarbone in Saturday’s sprint and had to end the race weekend early.
The Italian is currently registered for the Czech Grand Prix. However, he will undergo an examination by Dr. Angel Charte beforehand and will need to receive the necessary medical clearance to be allowed to participate in the race.
