Guenther Steiner puzzled by MotoGP bikes sitting out sessions without stand-in riders

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

"It is clear that an agreement must be reached between Liberty, the teams and the riders, but personally I am willing to assume that role as long as I am physically well, and now that is not the case.”

KTM's test and development rider Espargaro could have been the ideal substitute for Vinales, but he injured his left hand two weeks ago while training at a dirt track near Granollers.

The Spaniard admitted that the timing of the accident was unfortunate.

“Surely, of all the injuries I have had in my sporting career, this is the most foolish or the least serious," he said. 'It requires a recovery time, but we do not agree with doctor Xavier Mir. I think of some dates but he sets others for me, so patience, because the one in charge is the doctor and since I am no longer in the front line, like before, I can take a little more time to recover."

"The Catalunya race depends on Maverick and on his rehabilitation. But it is a pity. It may sound bad, but I spend the whole year waiting for these opportunities due to the absence of a team-mate to lend a hand to the factory and be able to achieve a good result. But to be competitive I have to be at my best and train, and that entails a risk of getting injured.”

Vinales' frustration

Espargaro revealed that he had not spoken with Vinales and did not know at what stage of his recovery he was.

“I speak little with Maverick because I understand how frustrating it must be for him to be in this situation of trying to return and not being able to because of the injury; I have gone through that, I know what one suffers and you have to leave him alone,” he explained.

“Maverick is a rider of the old school, vocational, one of those who trains a lot and takes it very seriously. For him, bikes are not a job, it is much more and I know he is having a very bad time. He is the first who wants to return, no one doubts that, but that depends on his physical condition being the ideal one."

Read Also:

Why Dani Pedrosa won't replace Maverick Vinales at Le Mans, despite his form

Best wildcard performances in the MotoGP era

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.