Guenther Steiner puzzled by MotoGP bikes sitting out sessions without stand-in riders

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Pol Espargaro says Guenther Steiner was left puzzled by MotoGP’s approach to injured riders, admitting he “doesn’t understand” why bikes can remain in the garage during a race weekend.

Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales was forced to miss last month's Spanish Grand Prix after undergoing surgery on his shoulder to recover a loose screw. No replacement could be finalised in the build-up to the event, leaving Steiner's team with just one rider for the Jerez weekend.

Vinales remains out of action as he continues to recover from the injury he suffered at the German Grand Prix last year, with Jonas Folger being called in as his substitute for this weekend's French GP.

Last month, Motorsport.com revealed that MotoGP wants take inspiration from Formula 1 and make reserve riders mandatory in the championship. This would avoid a situation like the one witnessed at Jerez last fortnight.

Espargaro, who already travels to all races as a TV commentator, believes the concept has merit, even if the comparison with F1 is not entirely straightforward.

“Personally, I think it is necessary," he said. "I had a conversation with Guenther Steiner, the new owner of Tech3, and he told me that for them, who come from Formula 1, it is unheard of that a car remains stopped in the box during a practice or a race and does not go out to compete.

“I think his point of view is valid. MotoGP is not comparable with F1, the risk that a rider assumes on a Saturday when getting on the bike replacing a team-mate who gets injured on Friday is much greater than if you do it in a car, but it is also true that economically and for the sport, leaving a bike stopped in the box is not the most ideal.

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

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

"It is clear that an agreement must be reached between Liberty, the teams and the riders, but personally I am willing to assume that role as long as I am physically well, and now that is not the case.”

KTM's test and development rider Espargaro could have been the ideal substitute for Vinales, but he injured his left hand two weeks ago while training at a dirt track near Granollers.

The Spaniard admitted that the timing of the accident was unfortunate.

“Surely, of all the injuries I have had in my sporting career, this is the most foolish or the least serious," he said. 'It requires a recovery time, but we do not agree with doctor Xavier Mir. I think of some dates but he sets others for me, so patience, because the one in charge is the doctor and since I am no longer in the front line, like before, I can take a little more time to recover."

"The Catalunya race depends on Maverick and on his rehabilitation. But it is a pity. It may sound bad, but I spend the whole year waiting for these opportunities due to the absence of a team-mate to lend a hand to the factory and be able to achieve a good result. But to be competitive I have to be at my best and train, and that entails a risk of getting injured.”

Vinales' frustration

Espargaro revealed that he had not spoken with Vinales and did not know at what stage of his recovery he was.

“I speak little with Maverick because I understand how frustrating it must be for him to be in this situation of trying to return and not being able to because of the injury; I have gone through that, I know what one suffers and you have to leave him alone,” he explained.

“Maverick is a rider of the old school, vocational, one of those who trains a lot and takes it very seriously. For him, bikes are not a job, it is much more and I know he is having a very bad time. He is the first who wants to return, no one doubts that, but that depends on his physical condition being the ideal one."