Maverick Vinales’ difficult 2026 MotoGP campaign has suffered another setback, with the Spaniard ruled out of this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a persistent shoulder injury.
Tech3 KTM has confirmed that Pol Espargaro will once again step in for Vinales at Misano, marking his third appearance as a substitute rider this season.
Vinales has endured a difficult road back to full fitness since suffering a left shoulder injury at the Sachsenring last year. After missing several races at the start of the 2026 season, he underwent surgery on April 1 to remove a troublesome screw from the injured area.
The operation was expected to help put his recovery back on track, allowing him to return at the Catalan Grand Prix in May. However, Vinales has struggled to regain his previous form since coming back, with his performances falling short of expectations.
His ongoing physical problems have now forced him to miss another race, raising further questions over when he will be able to return at full strength.
The situation has also been complicated by reports of a contractual dispute between Vinales and KTM. There has been speculation that the manufacturer could be considering ending their partnership before the end of the season, although no official decision has been confirmed.
For now, the priority remains Vinales’ recovery as he looks to overcome the injury problems that have disrupted his season.
Source: Crash.net
With Vinales unavailable, Tech3 KTM has once again turned to the familiar figure of Pol Espargaro. The experienced Spaniard has already filled in twice this season, scoring three points across his two appearances. He finished 13th at Silverstone before taking 16th at Aragon.
Espargaro also remains closely involved in KTM’s development programme, including work on the manufacturer’s new 850cc prototype ahead of the major technical changes coming to MotoGP in 2027.
His familiarity with the Tech3 team and KTM machinery makes him a natural choice for another substitute appearance at Misano. His experience should also allow him to settle back into the bike quickly, while his ongoing role in development gives KTM another opportunity to gather valuable data.
Tech3 team director Nicolas Goyon said the team remains focused on supporting Vinales’ recovery while welcoming Espargaro back for the San Marino round.
“While our priority remains supporting Maverick in his recovery, we are pleased to have Pol back with us in Misano,” Goyon said.
“Pol knows the team very well and has already demonstrated his professionalism and commitment in his two latest appearances this season.”
For Vinales, however, the focus is firmly on his health rather than his results. His latest absence highlights just how difficult his recovery has become after months of dealing with the shoulder injury.
Since returning in Barcelona, the Spaniard has yet to rediscover the consistency and speed expected from a rider of his experience. With uncertainty also surrounding his future at KTM, the coming weeks could prove crucial.
Vinales must first regain full fitness before he can focus on rebuilding his form and determining what comes next for his MotoGP career.
