British GP: KTM obliged to field two riders

According to the Participation Agreement with IRTA, if Pol Espargaro isn't fit to ride, KTM will have to find a replacement for Silverstone

Ahead of the GoPro British Grand Prix, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing face a challenge to find a rider to partner Bradley Smith if the injured Pol Espargaro is unable recover well enough to take part at Silverstone.

The Spaniard’s Brno Warm Up crash left Espargaro with a fractured collarbone and spinal bruising, but MotoGP™ riders are as tough as they come and in an Instagram post, the 2013 Moto2™ World Champion vowed to do all he can to be back at the British GP.

According to the Participation Agreement with IRTA, teams are required to replace a rider at any events after ten days. Accordingly, KTM were not required to provide a replacement for Austria, but will for Silverstone. If Espargaro isn’t fit enough to ride, then who can?

Test rider Mika Kallio is sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering serious knee ligiment damage at the Sachsenring, with Randy de Puniet replacing the Finn as KTM’s test rider for the remainder of 2018. Although, the Frenchman sustained a finger injury in a Suzuka 8 Hours crash, all-but ruling him out of replacing Espargaro in two weeks’ time.

KTM have until 17:00 on the Thursday of the British GP to confirm who will line up alongside Smith at his home race. 

Watch all races LIVE & OnDemand and enjoy the whole motogp.com video library, including technical features, exclusives interviews and classic races, with the MotoGP™ VideoPass – Now 50% OFF!