MotoGP: Pol Espargaro set to return at Silverstone

Pol Espargaro is set to make his comeback to MotoGP at Silverstone.

Pol Espargaro is set to make his long-awaited return from injury at Silverstone after 18 weeks away. The Spaniard will return to round nine at the British Grand Prix after recovering from injuries sustained in the opening round. 

He will still have to pass a medical check on Thursday before being passed fit to race for the weekend.

Espargaro crashed in Practice Two at Portimao where the 32-year-old hit an unprotected tyre barrier. In the crash, he broke his jaw in two pieces, two fractured ribs, one fracture on his neck, and three fractures to his back. Espargaro also had an ear injury which had to be operated on.

Pol Espargaro made an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in mid-July, where he rode his GASGAS machine. At Goodwood Espargaro stated that he wanted “to come back, to get back to normality”. He was joined at Goodwood by Kenny Roberts Jr, Randy Mamola, Michele Pirro, and Mika Kallio. 

The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team is currently ninth in the Team Championship, with 51 points. Rookie Augusto Fernandez is 14^th in the standings with 42 points and replacement Jonas Folger has nine points.

His teammate, Augusto Fernandez will also return after the five-week summer break, and is “excited to see his team”.

Espargaro said: “I am really happy to finally have the opportunity to come back after this tough period. I have been working more than ever in my life to arrive to this day, and for me, being in Silverstone is already a big prize.

“I know that I will need to be patient, and that it will take time to be at my 100% again, with both my bike and my body, but I am full of energy to take on this challenge! Let’s get on the gas again!”

Image credit: GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3