VIÑALES SET FOR MOTEGI RETURN AFTER SHOULDER INJURY

Maverick Viñales will return to MotoGP action at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Tech3 KTM confirming the Spaniard is ready to rejoin the grid at Motegi after an injury absence. After further medical examinations, he has been cleared to race. Viñales recently rode his KTM RC16 at the Spielberg test to assess his fitness.

The 31-year-old has been managing a persistent shoulder injury since a crash at the Sachsenring in 2025. His most recent race weekend was at the same circuit in July this year. He then missed the Grands Prix at Silverstone, Aragon, Misano and Spielberg while focusing on rehabilitation with his medical team, KTM and Tech3.

Viñales said he was delighted to announce his return, but stressed that he was not yet fully fit. “The last few months have been a long process, and I’ve worked hard every day to get to this point,” he said. “I’m not at 100% yet, but I’m on the right path and I feel ready to take this next step.”

He expects Motegi to be a gradual return, focused on assessing his condition and regaining his feel for the bike. “It’s about building up step by step, understanding where I am physically and finding my feeling for the bike again,” he said. He also thanked the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center and his doctors for their work and support during his recovery, adding that he could not wait to ride and race again.

Team manager Nicolas Goyon said Tech3 had prioritised Viñales’ health and would help him rebuild his rhythm step by step.