Maverick Viñales will miss Misano as his shoulder recovery continues, giving KTM tester Pol Espargaro a third consecutive MotoGP replacement start.
Maverick Viñales will miss the 2026 San Marino Grand Prix, prolonging his disrupted MotoGP season and keeping Pol Espargaro in the Tech3 KTM garage at Misano.
Tech3 confirmed the switch on September 4. Viñales continues to rebuild strength in the shoulder he injured at the Sachsenring last year, while Espargaro is preparing for a third straight start as his replacement.
Recovery remains the priority
Viñales has been in and out of the 2026 campaign because the lingering shoulder problem has kept him from riding at full strength. He sat out Silverstone and Aragon, with Misano now added to the weekends he has missed.
No return date has been confirmed.
Espargaro stays in the seat
Espargaro replaced Viñales in the previous two rounds and will remain aboard the Tech3 bike in Italy. Misano will mark his third MotoGP appearance of 2026, adding another race weekend to his KTM testing duties.
His presence also provides continuity for KTM. Espargaro knows the current RC16 and has spent the past month moving between substitute outings and development work on the manufacturer's 850cc project for 2027.
KTM faces a packed schedule
The timing makes for a demanding run. KTM's home round at the Red Bull Ring follows Misano one week later, and Viñales has not been confirmed for Austria.
Espargaro will be in Austria either way. In addition to his broadcasting work, he is expected to join a closed 850cc test at Spielberg on the Monday after the Austrian Grand Prix.
Tech3 secures certainty for Misano
Tech3 heads into the San Marino weekend with a confirmed rider instead of waiting for a late decision on Viñales' fitness. Espargaro's recent mileage should help him settle in quickly when practice starts, though the replacement role comes alongside a substantial testing program.
Viñales loses another race weekend, but the decision gives his shoulder more time after an injury that has disrupted much of 2026. The next update will focus on whether he can return for KTM's home Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, one week after Misano.
