Maverick Vinales will re‑enter MotoGP at Motegi this weekend, defying a shoulder injury and a standoff with KTM.
Rough Road to the Motegi Calendar
The Spaniard missed five races after a shoulder injury, complaining about a damaged infraspinatus tendon. He has been using platelet‑rich plasma injections, reporting a 10 % improvement per month. After the German Grand Prix, his arm limits prompted him to consider the year over.
KTM’s Sudden Withdrawal
KTM once promised Vinales a factory seat for 2027, yet the same outfit later shifted him out of the factory team and satellite line‑up. KTM’s decision was communicated on 30 June, by which time seats for next season were already filled. In the months that followed, Vinales found himself sidelined by the manufacturer.
Unexpected Test Invitation
Following a positive test at the Red Bull Ring after the Austrian GP, the former Haas principal called Vinales to participate in a test. The run cleared him for a trip to Japan, and he will attempt every stage of the weekend at Motegi, aiming to finish the main race.
Aiming for a Comeback
Vinales said he does not surrender his MotoGP story. He prefers to wait for a riding opportunity than move to WorldSBK, citing the upgraded power of next year’s bikes. He hopes the Motegi effort will pave the way for a steady return to the grid.
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