Overview
- Tech3 confirmed Jonas Folger will ride the KTM RC16 at the French Grand Prix in place of the injured Maverick Vinales.
- Folger said matching race pace will be a big challenge after little recent MotoGP running and only a brief two-day test at Mugello.
- He noted the RC16 has changed a lot since he last raced it, citing major updates to the chassis and aerodynamics.
- Pol Espargaro’s hand injury removed the first-choice stand-in, with KTM keeping Dani Pedrosa on 2027 850cc test duty despite his strong recent test pace.
- Folger’s participation beyond Le Mans remains undecided as Vinales and Espargaro work to recover.