Tech3 forced into fielding just one bike for MotoGP Spanish GP

Maverick Vinales will sit out this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, with the Tech3 MotoGP rider yet to make a full recovery from a shoulder surgery.

Vinales withdrew from last month’s US Grand Prix to return to Europe and undergo an operation to recover a displaced screw from his left shoulder.

The Spaniard had been hoping to take advantage of an extended break in the MotoGP calendar to complete his rehabilitation and make a comeback at his home race in Jerez.

But on Monday, Tech3 said in a statement that Vinales will not be fit in time for the first Spanish race of 2025 on 24-26 April.

The 31-year-old is now hoping to rejoin the grid at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans on 10 May.

"It’s obviously disappointing not to be racing at Jerez this weekend,” Vinales said. “It’s a huge event for me and the first of my home races this season. 

“I know my body well though and right now the priority is to recover properly and make sure I can come back in the best possible condition for the rest of the season. Everything is moving in the right direction, and the target is to be ready for Le Mans.” 

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Vinales had high expectations from his second season aboard KTM machinery after signing five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo as his rider coach.

While pre-season testing suggested no signs of lingering effects from his Sachsenring crash in 2025, Vinales struggled for performance across the opening two races at Buriram and Goiania and eventually withdrew from the third round in Austin due to severe pain.

Scans showed that a screw that was fitted to his shoulder in the aftermath of his German GP crash had become loose - and required surgery. Tech3 was initially planning to announce test rider Pol Espargaro as Vinales’ replacement for Jerez, but the 34-year-old is also unfit after sustaining a hand injury in the build-up to the race.

As such, the KTM satellite squad will contest the race with a single bike for Enea Bastianini, who returned to the podium in the sprint race at Austin.

Guenther Steiner, Red Bull KTM Tech3 CEO said: “I don’t ask for these situations, but somehow they keep turning up anyway. Of course, there’s a bit of irony in it, but the reality is that this is not how we wanted to arrive in Jerez.

“First Maverick is recovering, then Pol injures his hand, and suddenly the plan changes very quickly. We have looked at the alternatives, but we also must make sensible decisions that are right for the team and for the wider project. 

“The positive is that Enea comes into this weekend with good momentum after Austin, and that gives us something strong to build on as we head into the European leg of the season.”