Mir ruled out, Aleix Espargaro steps in for Honda at Indonesian MotoGP
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 6, 2026
Mir replacement for Honda
Honda turned to Honda HRC development rider Aleix Espargaro to replace Joan Mir at the Indonesian Grand Prix after Mir missed the race on medical advice while continuing to recover from ongoing health issues. Honda had not provided an update on Mir’s condition. The change gave Honda a rider already tied to its development work.
Espargaro return after crash
The Indonesian Grand Prix was Espargaro’s first race weekend since the 2025 Valencia Grand Prix and his first appearance of the 2026 MotoGP season. It was also one of only a limited number of outings he had made since a private Sepang test crash in April left him with four broken vertebrae and led to multiple surgeries. Before that crash, Espargaro had spent 14 seasons as a full-time premier-class rider and had collected 12 career podiums. He also had raced in Lombok before. His main goal was to get reacquainted with the RC213V before heading back to development work.
Espargaro on Honda trust
Espargaro said he was grateful for Honda’s trust and said he wanted to help the team. He also said expectations needed to stay realistic because he had spent limited time on the bike and because the track asked a lot of any rider. He wanted to help Honda, get reacquainted with the RC213V and work within the limits of his preparation.
