Tech3 was hoping Viñales would be returning to the track this weekend in Portimão. But, as Hervé Poncharal had explained to us, the Spanish rider is working in the Red Bull Athletic Performance Center, recovering from his shoulder injury and, in recent days, he also rode a 1000 cc road bike to verify his condition on a bike. Unfortunately, Maverick will also have to miss the Portuguese Grand Prix, with the goal of being able to get back on the KTM in Valencia.
"Along with KTM, we decided to give Maverick Viñales an extra week to recover. Portimão is a very physically demanding track, and the goal is to have Maverick in the best possible condition for Valencia, where tests will also take place. So Pol Espargarò will, once again, be replacing Maverick," the Tech3's team manager, Nicolas Goyon, explained.