Aleix Espargaró, Honda HRC rider, will not participate in the Indonesian Grand Prix taking place this weekend in Mandalika. His absence is due to the consequences of a severe back injury he suffered in April, which required surgery on the T3 and T4 vertebrae.
Espargaró, who had been called up to replace Joan Mir, who is in a recovery period, communicated during Saturday that he was considering the possibility of not racing due to the physical discomfort he was experiencing. Early on Sunday, Honda officially confirmed his withdrawal.
The decision has been made with a view to the need to continue developing the 850cc prototype that Honda plans for 2027. Team officials have explained that the physical demands of the Mandalika circuit have influenced the rider’s well-being.
Aleix admitted that the competition has caused him significant fatigue, noting that in his last race he finished in 20th place, with a considerable delay compared to the winner, Marc Márquez. ‘I am very tired, my forearms are sore and I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow,’ he commented on Saturday before the confirmation of his absence.
With Takaaki Nakagami also out of competition due to injuries, Espargaró is now the only rider working on the development of the new prototype, just ahead of the crucial test scheduled for October 14 and 15 in Sepang.
It remains to be seen who will replace Mir at the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for October 25, if he does not recover in time to compete.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI