Vinales to miss yet another MotoGP round, Tech3 names stand-in

Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales will be forced to skip yet another round of MotoGP competition, withdrawing from the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Vinales has been out since the Grand Prix of the Americas, as he returned to Europe to undergo surgery to have a displaced screw removed from his injured left shoulder.

The surgery took place ahead of a prolonged unplanned April break for MotoGP, but Vinales wasn't fit enough to race at Jerez once the series returned - and now can't do the Le Mans round either.

"I've been working hard since the surgery to fully recover and have always had Le Mans in my head as my target race to return. However, after attending the APC [Red Bull Athletic Performance Centre] this week, I have been advised that I am not yet strong enough to jump back on the bike," Vinales said.

"Whilst I am disappointed, I understand being back to full strength is the most important thing and I will keep my head down and prioritise that."

Vinales' shoulder injury, sustained at the Sachsenring in 2025, has now compromised him for nearly a year.

It looks to have had disastrous consequences for his 2027 prospects, with Vinales going to clear favourite for a KTM factory promption to a reported rank outsider for the team (with no obvious alternative avenues yet given he's not ridden fit for a long time).

Tech3 didn't replace Vinales at Jerez, with first-choice replacement Pol Espargaro also out injured.

Espargaro won't be fit in time for Le Mans either, so Jonas Folger - KTM-affiliated for the last few years - will step in for what should be his 20th grand prix start in MotoGP.