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Who is Jonas Folger: A forgotten man returns to MotoGP
TL;DR
Jonas Folger returns to MotoGP, replacing the injured Maverick Vinales for the French Grand Prix. At 32, Folger's comeback marks a surprising new chapter in his racing career.
Key points
- Jonas Folger replaces Maverick Vinales for the French Grand Prix.
- Folger is 32 years old, one of the older riders in MotoGP.
- He previously raced for Tech3 in his rookie season in 2017.
- This marks a surprising return to MotoGP for Folger.
Jonas FolgerMaverick VinalesMarc MarquezJohann Zarco
Motorsport photo
When Tech3 decided to replace the injured Maverick Vinales with Jonas Folger for this weekend's French Grand Prix, the news came as something of a surprise for a man who might have been forgiven for thinking he had long since ridden his last race at this level.
At 32, Folger will be among the veterans on the grid at Le Mans. Only Marc Marquez, 33, and home hero Johann Zarco, 35, are older. So this outing opens an unexpected third chapter in a MotoGP career characterised by long intervals.
The German's story in the premier class began as long ago as 2017, but there is a thread to that past: Tech3. Although it was running Yamahas back then, the French team was his employer in his rookie season.
Folger registered several top-10 starts and finishes that year, but really hit the headlines with a second place in his home grand prix at the Sachsenring. Sadly, however, he fell victim to illness and his season ended after the Aragon race, his 13th. With 84 points in the bag, he was nonetheless able to claim 10th in the championship.
Disregarding a couple of tests, it was 2023 before Folger would get another opportunity at the highest level. His old boss Herve Poncharal came calling after Pol Espargaro was injured at the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix. Folger returned to the circus two rounds later, at the Americas GP.
Now provided with a KTM to ride, he achieved little of note in the six races in which he subbed for Espargaro. Nine points somewhat masked the fact that he mostly propped up the field aboard the RC16.
Neatly, it was another injury to Espargaro that earned Folger this latest call from his one and only MotoGP team. The Spanish rider would normally have been first in line to replace regular man Vinales, but injured himself in a dirt track accident - opening the path for Folger to write chapter three of his MotoGP career.
Q&A
Why is Jonas Folger returning to MotoGP now?
Jonas Folger is returning to MotoGP to replace the injured Maverick Vinales for the upcoming French Grand Prix.
How old is Jonas Folger and who are the older riders in MotoGP?
Jonas Folger is 32 years old, making him one of the older riders on the grid alongside Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco.
What was Jonas Folger's history in MotoGP before this return?
Jonas Folger's MotoGP career began in 2017, and he previously raced for Tech3, the same team he is returning to now.
What impact does Folger's return have on the French Grand Prix?
Folger's return adds experience to the grid and could influence the dynamics of the race, especially given his previous connection with Tech3.
