- Surgery at Quirón-Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona went according to plan
- Of the four initially assumed vertebral fractures, two were confirmed at T3 and T4
- Nakagami and Stefan Bradl will take over the Honda test programme for the time being
It had been quiet around Aleix Espargaro for more than a week. After our initial report on the heavy crash during Honda’s test sessions in Malaysia, hardly any information about the Catalan rider’s condition reached the public. Now new details are available: the spinal surgery has been performed and, according to the treating Quirón-Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona, went according to plan. The racing professional, who keeps himself meticulously fit and was until recently also active as a professional cyclist in the Lidl-Trek team, is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.
The crash sequence in Sepang
The crash occurred just over a week ago during private test sessions in Malaysia. Espargaro had travelled to the circuit together with Taka Nakagami for a three-day programme covering both the current RC213V and the 850 cc RC214V prototype for the 2027 season. As early as the first test day, a Tuesday, the Catalan went down hard on the circuit he knows inside out. There is still no official information about the exact circumstances of the crash, the corner involved or even which of the two machines Espargaro was riding. He was then taken with bone fractures to the Aurelius University Hospital in Nilai, only around 13 kilometres from the racetrack. He remained there under medical observation until Sunday.
First assessment: four vertebral fractures and a narrow escape
On 9 April, the Spaniard spoke out for the first time from the hospital. On his Instagram account he described the incident with clear words: „Am Dienstag hatte ich hier in Sepang während des Tests einen sehr schweren Sturz. Dabei zog ich mir mehrere Prellungen und vier Wirbelbrüche zu. Wenn auch nur knapp, wurde glücklicherweise das Rückenmark nicht beeinträchtigt.” Espargaro thanked the clinic staff in Malaysia and announced his return home. His wife Laura Montero had travelled to Malaysia at short notice to support him. In his social media post, he took the situation with a dose of self-irony, writing that he had stopped counting how often Laura had already rushed to his aid from the other side of the world. The Catalan closed his post with the words that the scare should be excused and that he would be back.
Surgery at Quirón-Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona
After several days of stabilisation, he was flown home on a stretcher flight. In Barcelona, Espargaro was admitted to Quirón Dexeus University Hospital and thoroughly examined. The doctors concluded that surgery would be the best treatment option. The procedure took place on Wednesday and was led by neurosurgeon Bartolome Fiol Busquets, who specialises in spinal surgery. The focus was on fractures of the thoracic vertebrae T3 and T4 (the thoracic vertebrae are part of the spine and lie in the upper back at chest height). In addition, the surgeons stabilised two further vertebrae that had originally also been considered fractured but, on examination in Barcelona, turned out to be damaged rather than broken. The originally assumed four vertebral fractures were thus reduced to two confirmed fractures. According to information from SPEEDWEEK.com, the operation went according to plan.
Before the procedure, Espargaro had already commented on the severity of the situation: „Dieses Mal war es brutal. Aber wir müssen kämpfen und wie immer positiv bleiben, um vollständig zu genesen, und erst recht mit einer so großartigen Reisebegleiterin an meiner Seite! Danke an alle für die aufmunternden Nachrichten!”
Open question about the comeback
When Espargaro will be able to get back on a MotoGP bike cannot currently be estimated. Beyond that, there is no further information about the course of recovery. It is considered certain that the accident will leave traces on the test programme. A look at the incident of Pol Espargaro, the younger brother and current KTM tester, shows how long a comparable injury can set a rider back. Pol had suffered vertebral fractures at the 2023 season opener in Portimao. It took around three months until his return in Assen, and even that date he described in retrospect as actually too early.
A possible wildcard entry at the Spanish GP in Jerez on 24 to 26 April, which had not been officially announced but was well within the realm of possibility, thus seems to be off the table. Immediately after the Grand Prix on Monday, the first of a total of four in-season tests of the 2026 season is scheduled.
Consequences for Honda’s development programme
For the Japanese manufacturer, the absence comes at an extremely inopportune time. Espargaro plays a central role in Honda’s MotoGP development. His focus in the first months of the season was on the further development of the current 1000 cc RC213V, specifically on chassis, swingarm and aerodynamics. The declared goal up to the Brno tests: to find a solution for the Honda bike’s biggest deficit, the lack of traction. In parallel, Nakagami was already working on the 850 cc successor RC214V, which will be used from 2027 with Pirelli tyres under the new technical regulations. Honda first took the 850 cc prototype onto the track in December 2025. After the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic, Espargaro was to take on the leading role in the development of the 2027 bike.
A quick return of Honda’s unofficial test number one is not to be expected. Consequently, Nakagami is likely to be responsible for both Honda variants in the coming weeks and months, that is, for both the 1000 cc and the 850 cc prototype. As a third force, Stefan Bradl is also still officially available for test duties. In addition, at the upcoming test dates the Honda factory team itself can rely on its four regular riders, who can try out new parts. Development work is therefore not coming to a complete standstill, but it is losing one of its most important driving forces with Espargaro.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How seriously was Aleix Espargaro injured at the Honda test in Sepang?
After the crash, Espargaro was initially diagnosed with four vertebral fractures and several bruises. Examinations in Barcelona, however, revealed that only the thoracic vertebrae T3 and T4 were actually broken. According to his own statements, the spinal cord was only narrowly spared.
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Where was Aleix Espargaro operated on?
The procedure took place at Quirón-Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona and was led by neurosurgeon Bartolome Fiol Busquets, who specialises in spinal surgery. During the operation, the fractures at T3 and T4 were treated and two further vertebrae were stabilised.
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When will Aleix Espargaro return as a Honda test rider?
A date for his return to the MotoGP bike is not yet known. However, a comparison with his brother Pol Espargaro, who sustained a similar injury in 2023 and returned after around three months, suggests an absence of several months.
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Who will take over the test programme at Honda during Espargaro’s absence?
For the time being, Taka Nakagami will handle both the further development of the current 1000 cc RC213V and the work on the 850 cc RC214V prototype for the 2027 season. In addition, Stefan Bradl remains available as a third force for test duties.
➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: MotoGP 2026 Season: The Complete Overview. Find all key information on this topic in one place.
