Vinales misses Aragon as Espargaro extends his substitute role

Maverick Vinales will not return at Aragon. The Tech3 rider continues rehabilitation on his left shoulder after examinations found a small infraspinatus tear even though the supraspinatus had healed. The team is now targeting a possible Misano return without presenting it as certain.

Pol Espargaro will again substitute alongside Enea Bastianini. KTM's test rider already filled in at Silverstone and scored two points on Sunday, giving the garage useful technical continuity.

The choice prioritises Vinales's full recovery during a tightly packed end to the season. The next reliable marker will be his medical assessment before Misano; until then, Espargaro remains the racing and development solution.