Working up a sweat for Honda: Aleix Espargaro fights his way back into MotoGP

Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro suffered a major setback last April. The Catalan rider was seriously injured during his debut test at Sepang on the 2027 MotoGP Honda. The older Espargaró rider, who has been plagued by injuries on several occasions in the past, fractured several vertebrae in Malaysia. The dynamic rider was forced to undergo a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

The test crash consequently had an impact on the situation at HRC. With Aleix Espargaró injured, all testing duties fell to Taka Nakagami. The Japanese rider had to step in for all testing duties and was therefore unable to stand in for the injured Johann Zarco at LCR-Honda. As is well known, veteran Cal Crutchlow was called back into action. The Briton has done an impeccable job so far, but unsurprisingly shines more through his personal performances than through top results.

But it is not just since Zarco’s crash in Barcelona that Honda has continued to struggle to keep up with the leaders in 2026. The best rider on the RC213V is Luca Marini, currently 10th in the World Championship. In the manufacturers’ standings, Honda is in fourth place, just as it was last year. For 2026, therefore, the only goal left is to bring the 1000cc era to a dignified close. The focus is on 2027. With new rules, a new platform and two new riders – world champions Fabio Quartararo and David Alonso – the aim is to return to the elite when the 850cc era gets underway.

Aleix Espargaro bereitet sich auf die intensive MotoGP-Testphase vor

Foto: instagram Aleix Espargaro

For this to succeed, an intensive testing programme is also required – featuring Aleix Espargaró. Having moved to Honda in 2025, the 36-year-old is set, according to technical director Romano Albesiano, to take over from Nakagami in the second half of 2026 and further develop the new bike towards race spec. The potential of a fit Aleix Espargaro was demonstrated at the recent Sepang test with the 1000cc bikes, when ‘AE41’ was clocking the fastest times at times.

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Lap after lap with the Lidl-Trek professional team

Good news for HRC: Aleix Espargaro has put his injury behind him. Since June, he has stepped up his training sessions and is back at full throttle on his road bike. Espargaro regularly publishes his training logs. He’s also been putting in the hard work with his teammates from the Lidl-Trek squad. Even though Espargaro won’t be competing in professional road races in 2026, he remains part of the Spanish road cycling team’s squad.

It remains to be seen whether Aleix Espargaro’s comeback will go as far as him stepping in as a replacement for Cal Crutchlow at LCR. Following his long injury lay-off, everything seems to suggest that the Englishman will fill the race weekends until Zarco’s return, whilst Aleix Espargaro will devote all his energy to the 2027 MotoGP Honda.

Kann wieder lachen und trainieren: Aleix Espargaro

Foto: instagram Aleix Espargaro