MotoGP: KTM Confirms Pol Espargaro Wildcard Appearance in Grand Prix of Austria

Pol Espargaro, who has raced eight times on the Styrian track and achieved a podium finish in 2020 MotoGP season with KTM , hopes to replicate this success and capitalize on this unique opportunity.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team announced that Pol Espargaró will be back for a wildcard appearance in August. This will be his second stint with the team this season, taking place at their home turf, the Red Bull Ring, for the Austrian Grand Prix. Espargaró will contribute to the team's development efforts while competing against other riders. The MotoGP season resumes after the summer break with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in early August. The Austrian GP, where Espargaró will race, follows as the 11th round of the championship.

Pol Espargaro said: 'I’m ready to go again! Mugello was a special circuit to make my return for Red Bull KTM but it also doesn’t get much more special than Red Bull Ring. For the track, the place, the fans and the atmosphere and for how much this Grand Prix means to KTM it also feels a bit like a home race for me. I have some good memories of fighting for the win there but, like in Italy, the goal will be to get on the track with the KTM RC16 and continue our testing program. We will have work to do but I know the Austrian GP will also be a lot of fun.'

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MotoGP: Pol Espargaro and KTM

Pol Espargaró's history with KTM is extensive. He secured their first podium in MotoGP during his stint from 2017 to 2020. After racing with KTM until 2020, he switched to Repsol Honda for two years before returning to KTM with the GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 team in 2023. However, a serious injury at Portimão forced him to miss many races. Espargaró made his comeback at the British Grand Prix and later confirmed his role as a test rider within the KTM organization.

MotoGP KTM Pol Espargaro 3

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Recently, Espargaró participated in a wildcard race at Mugello. With KTM needing an edge against Ducati and Aprilia, his presence as a fifth rider at their home Grand Prix in Austria is strategic. Familiar with the track and nearly victorious in 2020, Espargaró joins factory riders Binder and Miller in pursuit of strong results.