Spanish rider Maverick Viñales will not take part in the upcoming Czech Republic Grand Prix after sustaining a shoulder injury during qualifying at the German MotoGP Grand Prix held at the Sachsenring.
Viñales, who currently rides for Tech3 KTM, suffered a crash during Saturday’s qualifying session in Germany, which led to a fracture in his supraspinatus tendon, located in the shoulder. The injury was severe enough to immediately rule him out of the race weekend, and after medical evaluation, the decision was made to send the rider to Italy for surgery.
The procedure, aimed at repairing the tendon and stabilising the injury, was successfully performed, as confirmed by the Tech3 KTM team in an official statement. While the surgery went according to plan, Viñales now faces a period of rehabilitation, making it impossible for him to return in time for the Czech Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Brno from July 18 to 20.
This marks a significant setback for Viñales, who has been seeking consistency in his performances this season. The injury comes at a challenging moment for both the rider and his team, as they continue to push for better results in the second half of the MotoGP calendar.
Tech3 KTM expressed their support for the 29-year-old Spaniard, noting that his recovery will be closely monitored and his return will depend on his physical condition and medical advice. No replacement rider has yet been confirmed for the Brno race, and the team is expected to make a decision in the coming days.
Viñales, a former race winner in MotoGP, joined the Tech3 KTM setup to rejuvenate his career after previous stints with Yamaha and Aprilia. His absence at Brno will be felt not only by the team but also by fans who were hoping to see him compete in one of the sport’s classic venues.
