Pol Espargaro faced a steep challenge as he made his first competitive MotoGP appearance during Friday’s practice at Brno. The KTM test rider stepped in for the injured Maverick Vinales on the Tech3 team, starting 15th in the dry morning session, then contending with a weather delay in the afternoon.
Espargaro’s lap times were 1.8 seconds slower than Ducati leader Marc Marquez and 0.9 seconds behind teammate Enea Bastianini’s top RC16. “The level of competition is incredible,” Espargaro reflected after his first day back racing. “It felt wild, especially since my last ride in the rain was a long time ago.”
His previous MotoGP race was at Misano in 2024, and the Spaniard was happy to return to a track that had not been on the calendar for five years. “I think none of us realized how much we missed this track until today. It’s special—long, technical, with a mix of fast and slow sections that demand aggressive riding,” he said. “It’s an old-school circuit where the racing is fantastic.”
Espargaro is working with Vinales’ current RC16 setup and testing some adjustments. “I’m riding Maverick’s bike and using some of my test settings. We tweaked the electronics slightly and gathered useful data for the factory engineers. It was a solid day, and I’m excited to try a dry session tomorrow.”
At 34, Espargaro’s Saturday begins with final practice and Qualifying 1, which includes Ducati riders Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Digiannantonio, Fabio Quartararo, and KTM factory rider Brad Binder. “Q1 is known to be intense, so it’s a valuable learning experience,” he added.
Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini made a strong return from illness, securing eighth place and direct entry to Qualifying 2. “I’m not at full strength, but making it to the second qualifying round for the first time this year is a big boost,” said Bastianini, who had been out with food poisoning. “Finishing in the top 10 on Friday is important for morale after a tough week.”
Fan Take: Pol Espargaro’s return injects fresh energy and talent into the MotoGP lineup, reaffirming the competitive depth of the field. His comeback at a beloved classic track highlights the enduring passion and skill driving the sport forward, promising thrilling race weekends ahead.
