Injured Maverick Vinales to miss Spanish GP after undergoing surgery

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Maverick Vinales will sit out this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, with the Tech3 MotoGP rider yet to make a full recovery from a shoulder surgery.

Vinales withdrew from last month’s US Grand Prix to return to Europe and undergo an operation to recover a displaced screw from his left shoulder.

The Spaniard had been hoping to take advantage of an extended break in the MotoGP calendar to complete his rehabilitation and make a comeback at his home race in Jerez.

But on Monday, Tech3 said in a statement that Vinales will not be fit in time for the first Spanish race of 2025 on 24-26 April.

The 31-year-old is now hoping to rejoin the grid at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans on 10 May.

"It’s obviously disappointing not to be racing at Jerez this weekend,” Vinales said. “It’s a huge event for me and the first of my home races this season.

“I know my body well though and right now the priority is to recover properly and make sure I can come back in the best possible condition for the rest of the season. Everything is moving in the right direction, and the target is to be ready for Le Mans.”

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

Vinales had high expectations from his second season aboard KTM machinery after signing five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo as his rider coach.

While pre-season testing suggested no signs of lingering effects from his Sachsenring crash in 2025, Vinales struggled for performance across the opening two races at Buriram and Goiania and eventually withdrew from the third round in Austin due to severe pain.