Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Aleix Espargaro withdraws from Indonesian MotoGP with physical discomfort
Aleix Espargaro will not race in Sunday’s Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika after Honda withdrew him because of ongoing physical discomfort.
The 37-year-old Honda test rider was standing in for Joan Mir, who has been unable to race since mid-September.
Espargaro had not raced since suffering serious back injuries in April and undergoing surgery.
He struggled during practice and the Saturday Sprint, saying he lacked strength and found it difficult to finish the short race.
Honda said the long break from physical activity and the demands of the Mandalika circuit contributed to the decision.
Espargaro will travel to Sepang for a two-day test of Honda’s 850cc prototype, which is being developed for MotoGP’s 2027 regulations.
Honda needs to decide whether Mir is fit to return for the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on 25 October.
Aleix Espargaro withdrew from Sunday's Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika because of ongoing physical discomfort.
Honda said the decision followed injuries suffered at the start of 2026 and the circuit's physical demands.
Espargaro had returned to race as a substitute for Joan Mir after suffering multiple back fractures in April.
He will travel to Sepang for a two-day test of Honda's 850cc prototype.
Honda has not yet confirmed who will replace Mir at the Australian Grand Prix if he remains unfit.
- Who
- Aleix Espargaro, a Honda test rider substituting for Joan Mir.
- What
- He withdrew from the Indonesian Grand Prix because of ongoing physical discomfort.
- When
- Sunday, 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia.
- Why
- Honda cited injuries, a period of physical inactivity and the circuit's physical demands.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I'm very tired
I tried my best but I crashed also in practice. In the Sprint I just tried to just finish out of respect for the team and myself, but it was very difficult,
As a result of the period of physical inactivity caused by the injuries suffered at the beginning of 2026 and the particular physical demands of the Mandalika International Circuit, Aleix Espargaro and Honda HRC Castrol have decided to withdraw bike No. 41 from the Indonesian GP due to persistent physical discomfort
I feel ok for testing. In testing, you normally do 2-3 consecutive laps, no more. Racing here, you have to do many consecutive laps at a very high pace. It’s a very different thing.
Espargaro suffered multiple back fractures at Sepang and underwent surgery on his T3 and T4 vertebrae.
Joan Mir had been medically unfit to race.
After the Sprint, Espargaro said he might not be able to take part in Sunday's Grand Prix.
Honda confirmed Espargaro's withdrawal from the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Honda's two-day 850cc prototype test was scheduled at Sepang.
- Race
- Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika
- Rider
- Aleix Espargaro, age 37
- Substitute
- Joan Mir
- Bike number
- 41
- Next test
- Honda 850cc prototype test at Sepang on 14–15 October
Sources
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