Pol Espargaro will return to action this weekend to substitute for the injured Maverick Viñales at Red Bull KTM Tech3. making his first race appearance of 2025.
Viñales injured his shoulder in a Q2 crash last Saturday and is now on the path to recovery, but sits out the Czech GP.
Pol Espargaro: “Obviously, it’s never a good thing to take part in a GP because you have to replace an injured rider. So, first of all, I want to wish a speedy recovery to Maverick. I will try to do my best this weekend, also trying to help as much as possible my teammates and the technicians. It’s been a long time since our last visit to Brno, which is a fantastic track. The last time we raced here I felt super-good in my best period with KTM so let’s see how it is with the new surface. I don’t have any expectations apart from enjoying the weekend and having some useful days for our project.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: "Enea Bastianini was released from hospital last weekend, and he is now fully focused on getting back to full shape for this weekend. We will of course have to understand his physical condition, and if all the lights are green, he will carry on the job initiated in Mugello and Assen. Maverick Viñales will miss the Czech GP as we announced earlier this week. In order to keep things moving forward for the KTM project, it has been decided with the factory that Pol Espargaro will replace him this week. An old friend returns to our garage, we have known Pol for many years, from his MotoGP debuts to his last full season in 2023, so we are glad to welcome him back. Let’s see where Pol is able to place his KTM on the brand new tarmac of Brno."