)
The factory Honda team will call upon the services of Aleix Espargaro for this weekend's Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix.
The Spanish veteran will step in for 2020 World Champion Joan Mir, who is set to miss his third consecutive round due to an ongoing undisclosed illness. Honda's initial plan was for Takaaki Nakagami to replace Mir, but an injury sustained by the Japanese rider at Motegi last week has ruled him out.
As a result, team management has turned to their other test rider, who will make his first race appearance of the season. Somkiat Chantra, who deputised for Mir in Japan last weekend, is unavailable in Indonesia due to his commitments in the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK), where he races full-time for Honda.
It remains unclear whether Mir will be fit to return for the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for 23–25 October. If Mir is unable to race at Phillip Island, Chantra could theoretically step in again, as the WorldSBK season concludes on 18 October.
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)