Jonas Folger has been named to replace Maverick Vinales on the KTM-backed Tech3 entry for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans after test rider Dani Pedrosa declined a late call-up. KTM had hoped Pedrosa would step in following a Jerez test; Pedrosa completed 30 laps with a best time of 1:37.483, said, “My time has passed,” and reiterated he does not intend to return to full-time racing. He also turned down the role in part because test-rider contract terms were reduced and wildcard incentives were removed.

KTM turned to Folger to ensure Tech3 fields two riders under MotoGP rules after Pol Espargaro’s injury left the team obliged to find a replacement. Vinales was ruled out of Le Mans while recovering from shoulder surgery in early April to remove a screw inserted after a qualifying crash at the German Grand Prix, and he was advised to miss the French round. He is expected to return at his home Grand Prix in Barcelona on May 15–17. Tech3 ran a single entry in Vinales’s absence at recent rounds and chose not to run a replacement at the United States and Spanish Grands Prix.

Folger, who will turn 33 in August, has been cleared to compete at Le Mans as a short-term, event-specific replacement. He last raced in MotoGP in 2023 when he stood in for Pol Espargaro over six rounds, scoring nine points with a best finish of 12th at Austin and a 14th at Assen on June 25, 2023, which means he has been away from MotoGP for roughly 1,050 days. A former winner in Moto3 and Moto2 and Tech3’s only MotoGP podium finisher at his home race in 2017, Folger said he does not expect any “miracles” and that his immediate priorities are to ride the bike, get the most out of it for himself and ensure the team has a rider on track. He said he does not feel pressure from KTM. Tech3 described the move as a pragmatic, short-term replacement tied to Vinales’s medical recovery rather than a permanent roster change.