LCR Honda down to one rider again after Espargaro crashes bicycle

Aleix Espargaro will not ride the LCR Honda at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix as planned after another cycling injury ahead of the race at Balaton Park.

Espargaro’s withdrawal is the latest development in a four-race saga around the #35 entry. It’s a story that has been running ever since the bike’s regular rider, Somkiat Chantra, injured himself in a training accident ahead of the German Grand Prix last month.

While the team’s lead rider, Johann Zarco, flew the flag alone in Austria last weekend, the Frenchman had expected HRC test rider Espargaro to join him in Hungary.

But yet another bicycle injury for the budding professional cyclist has put paid to that plan.

“Unfortunately, Aleix suffered a cycling accident a few days ago,” read a statement from the team. “While it initially seemed minor, he arrived at the track on Thursday morning with severe back pain.

“Medical examinations have revealed that his L3 vertebra is affected. He is now returning to Barcelona to undergo further tests at Hospital Universitari Dexeus.”

Chantra, meanwhile, is targeting a return to his bike for the next round of the championship in Spain.

After working on his recovery in Thailand, Chantra is back in Barcelona and has intensified his rehabilitation with the aim of returning at the Catalan Grand Prix, set for the first weekend of September in Barcelona.

“Somkiat rested for two weeks in his home country, but he hasn’t stopped working on his recovery from his injury,” LCR team owner Lucio Cecchinello told Autosport on Thursday.

Chantra is almost certain to lose his spot on the MotoGP grid next season following the news that Moto2 start Diogo Moreira will race for LCR in 2026.