MotoGP British GP: GasGas Racing Confirms Pol Espargaro Return for Silverstone Race

MotoGP World Championship racing can't come soon enough for Pol Espargaro of GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3. The eight-time MotoGP podium finisher fractured his back and jaw in a collision during FP2 at the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix in March. After sustaining injuries in an accident, Espargaro had surgery and spent the first month of his rehabilitation with his mouth wired shut. As a result of back fractures, doctors did not believe he was ready to return to the Italian GP in June, so they suggested he sit out and hoped to return to the British GP in August after the summer break. After riding his bike for the first time since his collision at last month's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Tech3 has announced that Espargaro will return to official MotoGP action at Silverstone.

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MotoGP British GP: 'Looking Forward to Racing', Says Pol Espargaro

After a five-week break for the summer, the premier class will return to Silverstone, England, British Grand Prix. The young Espargaró has expressed excitement about taking part in the race with a message shared on social media. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Pol Espargaró (@polespargaro)

Pol expressed "really looking forward to racing" alongside his squad. "I'm going to need some time to get back up to speed, but I'm going to give it my all," he stated before thanking his crew and sponsors. "Thank you very much for your patience and affection, I'll give it back with effort and results."

The '44' also thanked the doctors and therapists who have helped him recover, as well as his fans: "Also to all the Doctors and physios who have passed through my life in the last 4 months and of course to you, who have encouraged and supported me during this hard process!" 

After the Americas GP, former Tech3 MotoGP rider Jonas Folger took over for Espargaro. Folger, a German, had his 2017 rookie season cut short due to a liver illness called as Gilbert's Syndrome.

Also Read: MotoGP: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to be Introduced from British GP Onward Amidst Safety Concerns

MotoGP British GP: Honda Riders

Also expected back at Silverstone is Honda's Joan Mir, who has been out since the Italian GP with an injury to his hand he sustained at Mugello. Joan Mir sustained injuries at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, and as a result, he had to sit out the following two races—the Mugello GP and the German GP at the Sachsenring—to recover.

Alex Rins, rider for LCR Honda, will be replaced by Iker Lecuona as HRC assesses the young Spaniard ahead of a possible comeback to MotoGP. Rins fractured his leg in a collision during the Italian GP. According to reports, Alex Rins might consider switching to Yamaha from Honda for the 2023 MotoGP season due to Honda's handling of him. Both Rins and his former Suzuki colleague Joan Mir moved to the official Honda squad to compete alongside Marc Marquez after Suzuki's departure from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season. The LCR Honda rider broke his tibia and fibula and has been documenting his recovery process.