MotoGP: Jonas Folger replaces injured Pol Espargaro at America

Jonas Folger will return to MotoGP at the Grand Prix of the Americas with the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team.

Jonas Folger will make his MotoGP comeback with the Tech3 team at the Circuit of the Americas. Folger will replace Pol Espargaro, who continues to recover from a crash at Portimao.

Pol Espargaro crashed at turn 10 in Friday’s Practice 2 at the Portimao circuit, where he hit the tyre barrier. Espargaro suffered from a fractured vertebra and jaw, as well as trauma to his lungs.

Espargaro was airlifted to hospital in Faro, on Friday before being transferred to Barcelona where he would receive surgery on his jaw fracture.

Pol Espargaro was one of the many riders who were injured in the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship. Marc Marquez, Miguel Oliveira and Enea Bastianini are some of the other riders who will miss the race in Argentina.

Jonas Folger joins the KTM group this year as the official MotoGP test rider, for the Austrian manufacturer. Folger’s only season in MotoGP came in 2017, where the German would race for the Tech3 squad. The German had a strong rookie season, ending the year in 10^th place in the 2017 standings.

Pol Espargaro looked strong in preseason testing, returning to the RC16 once again as he switched from Repsol Honda. Espargaro had a tough 2022 season, ending the year in 16^th in the standings.

Team Manager, Nicolas Goyon said: “It’s clear Pol needs time to make a full recovery and our thoughts are still with him and we are in contact all the time. Until he is ready though, Jonas’ testing role together with his recent MotoGP experience meant he is the perfect fill-in. 

“We had some good memories with him a few years ago and he tested with us in Sepang this pre-season. He’s a great guy and we’re delighted to welcome him back.”

Jonas Folger said: “First of all I really hope Pol is doing well and getting back on his feet as soon as possible. I’m sure he has the right people around him. From my side I’m looking forward to racing again and arriving to Texas to see all the guys from my old team!

“I hope we can do a decent job and I know it will be a big challenge for me since testing has only just started. However, this will be a great opportunity to get up to speed and learn more about the bike. I’m thankful and now looking to Texas.”

Image credit: GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3