Official, Viñales still out. Jonas Folger races at Le Mans

Calvario Viñales

The absence from MotoGP tracks of Maverick Viñales continues, who this year has only started in the Thailand and Brazil GPs and who between the second half of last season and the beginning of this one has already missed 11 out of 17 races. The Spaniard will not be at the start of the Le Mans weekend, as officially announced by KTM and the Tech3 team. “Viñales – the team reported – is continuing his recovery after the recent corrective shoulder surgery” and therefore will not be racing in France.

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Surprise choice

The big news is represented by his replacement: KTM, in fact – to avoid racing with only one bike, a circumstance that the new Liberty Media ownership does not like at all – has gone to recall the German Jonas Folger, 32 years old, who raced his last MotoGP race in 2023 and who in his career was a full-time rider in the premier class for only one season, in 2017, achieving a second place in the home race at Sachsenring. However, Folger did not complete that year, choosing to stop after being diagnosed with Gilbert’s syndrome.

The reason for choosing Folger is that also KTM’s first reserve, Pol Espargaró, is currently injured and is continuing his recovery program. “Tech3 and KTM have evaluated several options for replacing Viñales – it was explained – and the choice fell on Jonas Folger, KTM 990 RC R development rider“. Folger has 19 MotoGP races in his career, all raced with the Tech3 team.

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The riders’ words

“I worked hard after the surgery to fully recover and I always had Le Mans in mind as the target race for my return – Viñales commented – however, after going to the APC this week, I was told that I am still not fit enough to get back on the bike. Although I am disappointed, I understand that returning at my best shape is the most important thing and I will continue to focus on this goal“.

“First of all, I want to wish Maverick a speedy and full recovery – was Folger’s comment – personally, I am really excited to return together with all the Tech3 guys, I have a past with this team and it will be great to see everyone again. Le Mans will be a big challenge, returning after many years away from racing and getting back on the bike will mean adapting quickly and learning a lot over the weekend. It will be tough, for sure, but I believe the positives outweigh the difficulties and I can’t wait”.

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