- Jonas Folger replaces Maverick Viñales at the fifth round of the season in Le Mans
- Folger currently works as a development rider for the KTM 990 RC R
- KTM reserve rider Pol Espargaró is also sidelined with an injury
After nearly three years without a MotoGP outing, Jonas Folger is returning to the premier class of motorcycle racing. At the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, the 32-year-old German will pilot the KTM RC16 for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, replacing the still-injured Maverick Viñales. For Folger, it’s a return to familiar territory — all 19 of his previous MotoGP starts have been with this very team.
Why Is Maverick Viñales Missing at Le Mans?
Maverick Viñales has been struggling for months with the consequences of a shoulder injury he originally sustained during qualifying for the German GP at the Sachsenring in July 2025. The Spaniard had already missed seven races last season and had to undergo surgery again in late March 2026 because a screw in his left shoulder had shifted.
Viñales had initially targeted the French GP as the goal for his comeback. However, after a visit to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre (APC) the previous week, he had to abandon that plan.
Viñales further explained that he understood the disappointment but that full fitness had to be the top priority. The Spaniard has now missed his third consecutive Grand Prix, having previously been unable to compete in both Austin and Jerez. Whether he will also miss the Catalan GP in Barcelona, held one week after Le Mans, remains uncertain.
Why Was Jonas Folger Chosen?
Normally, KTM reserve rider Pol Espargaró would have been the first choice in such a situation. However, the Spaniard is also currently in rehabilitation. Espargaró sustained a hand injury during motocross training and is likewise unavailable to the team. Dani Pedrosa, the other KTM test rider, has also made clear that he will no longer participate in race weekends.
The choice thus fell on Jonas Folger, who works at KTM as a development rider for the KTM 990 RC R. This production model is used, among other things, in its own racing series across Europe. While Folger has not ridden a MotoGP machine in recent years, he has remained continuously active in the saddle and closely integrated into the Austrian manufacturer’s work.
What Has Folger Achieved in MotoGP So Far?
Jonas Folger is no stranger to the MotoGP paddock. The Bavarian debuted in 2017 for the then Yamaha-equipped Tech3 team in the premier class and immediately made an impression in his rookie season. At the Sachsenring, he matched Marc Marquez’s pace for several laps during the home race and finished second on the podium. It was one of the highlights of his career to date.
However, the 2017 season remained Folger’s only full MotoGP campaign. At the end of the year, Morbus Meulengracht (Gilbert syndrome) forced him to withdraw — a genetic metabolic disorder in which the liver cannot properly process toxins. The road back led through national series and test rides.
In 2023, the first opportunity for a MotoGP return arose when Folger stepped in at Tech3 for the injured Pol Espargaró. Over a total of six races, he collected 9 championship points, with a twelfth-place finish at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin being his best result. His last MotoGP outing was the Dutch GP at Assen in 2023, where he also finished in the points. Beyond his achievements in the premier class, Folger can look back on victories in both Moto3 and Moto2.
How Does Folger Rate His Chances at Le Mans?
Folger himself has no illusions about the difficulty of the task. After nearly three years without a race outing on a MotoGP machine, the weekend in Le Mans will primarily be a process of rapid adaptation.
At the same time, Folger emphasized the emotional side of the comeback. He spoke of having a shared history with Tech3 and that it would be great to see everyone again.
How Does Tech3 Stand Ahead of Their Home Race?
For Red Bull KTM Tech3, the French Grand Prix is the home race, adding extra significance to the weekend. The team travels to Le Mans with a degree of positive momentum. In Jerez, Enea Bastianini, Viñales’ teammate, moved up to tenth in the rider standings and, according to team manager Nicolas Goyon, also showed clear progress with the KTM RC16 during the subsequent test.
Goyon stated that Viñales’ health and recovery had been the most important thing from the start. He highlighted that it would be a significant weekend for the team, as they would be competing in front of friends, families, and fans. With two motorcycles on track and Folger back at Tech3, they aimed to deliver a strong showing in front of the home crowd.
Folger’s appearance marks a notable personnel development for the 2026 MotoGP season. In a championship that, according to Beirer, is as close and competitive as rarely before, a rider is stepping in who has never ridden the current RC16 in race trim. How Folger performs after his long absence will be significant not just for him personally, but also for assessing the KTM rider situation going forward this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is replacing Maverick Viñales at the 2026 MotoGP race in Le Mans?
Jonas Folger takes over the KTM RC16 at the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team for the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. The 32-year-old German steps in because both Viñales and regular reserve rider Pol Espargaró are sidelined with injuries.
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Why can’t Maverick Viñales compete at Le Mans?
Viñales is recovering from shoulder surgery in late March 2026, during which a displaced screw had to be removed. After a check at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, he was advised not to return to the motorcycle yet. Le Mans marks his third consecutive absence after Austin and Jerez.
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When did Jonas Folger last race in MotoGP?
Folger’s last MotoGP outing was the Dutch GP at Assen in June 2023. At the time, he stood in at Tech3 for the injured Pol Espargaró and finished in the points. In total, he contested six races in 2023 and collected 9 championship points.
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What does Jonas Folger currently do at KTM?
Folger works as a development rider for the KTM 990 RC R, a production model used in its own racing series across Europe. He has not ridden a MotoGP machine in recent years but has remained continuously active in the saddle.
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Could Dani Pedrosa step in instead of Folger?
No. While Dani Pedrosa is under contract as a test rider at KTM, he has made clear that he will no longer participate in MotoGP race weekends. Therefore, Jonas Folger was the only available replacement.
