In an important update for the Tech3 team, it has been announced that Pol Espargaró will take over from the sidelined Maverick Viñales at the Austrian Grand Prix, which will take place this weekend at the iconic Red Bull Ring. Viñales has not competed since July 12, after withdrawing in the closing moments of the German Grand Prix due to an injury.
Tech3 has confirmed that Espargaró will continue racing for the team, as he is the official test and reserve rider for KTM. His participation in Austria marks the fourth time he joins the MotoGP grid this season and hopes to defend the brand’s colors in front of the local audience.
In addition to races in Silverstone, Aragón, Misano, and now Spielberg, Espargaró is working on the development of the KTM 850cc bike planned for 2027, conducting tests at the Mugello circuit very soon.
Viñales’s recovery has taken longer than initially expected; he has participated in just eight races this year, scoring points in four of them. Nevertheless, Tech3 still hopes that the Spanish rider will be recovered in time to return when the championship moves to Japan.
The team director, Nicolas Goyon, has expressed the significant meaning of these races for their home rider, highlighting that Espargaró is showing continuous improvement in every appearance on the bike. “We know we can count on his experience and professionalism, and we hope to see him lead in front of the ‘orange wave’ this weekend,” Goyon added.
Espargaró has scored points in two of the three races he has contested so far, demonstrating his competitiveness on the MotoGP stage.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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