P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aleix Espargaro may need surgery after suffering a big crash during a private Honda test this week
Honda MotoGP test rider Aleix Espargaro disclosed that he sustained four broken vertebrae in a serious crash at a private HRC test in Sepang this week. Espargaro, a three-time MotoGP race winner, had joined Honda in 2024 before retiring from grand prix racing. He has been crucial in developing bikes for HRC through testing and wildcard entries, temporarily pausing his professional cycling endeavors last year.
In 2026, Espargaro decided to shift his focus entirely to his testing role with Honda, leading to his participation in testing at Sepang alongside Takaaki Nakagami. Despite the accident, Espargaro was cleared to fly home for evaluation for potential surgery in Barcelona. This setback could impact Honda’s development plans, as Espargaro was slated to potentially race at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix before the first in-season test of 2026.
Additionally, MotoGP had to postpone its event in Qatar due to conflicts in the Middle East, highlighting the disruptions in the racing calendar. Despite the challenges, Espargaro remained grateful for the support from his team and his wife, Laura, emphasizing his determination to return to racing.
