Maverick Viñales Returns for Japanese GP After Shoulder Injury Recovery

After months recovering from shoulder surgery, Maverick Viñales has been cleared to return to MotoGP action with Red Bull KTM Tech3 at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi.

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Maverick Viñales is set to make his long-awaited return to MotoGP this weekend after Red Bull KTM Tech3 confirmed the Spaniard has been medically cleared to compete in the Japanese Grand Prix at Mobility Resort Motegi.

The 2026 Japanese GP marks Viñales’ first race since the German Grand Prix in July, where he stepped away from competition to undergo corrective shoulder surgery and complete an extensive rehabilitation programme.

His return gives Tech3 its full-time rider pairing once again, with Viñales rejoining teammate Enea Bastianini as the MotoGP season heads into its crucial overseas rounds.

Following corrective surgery earlier this year, Viñales spent the past few months focusing on recovery alongside his medical team, Red Bull KTM and Tech3.

After undergoing further medical and fitness assessments at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre (APC), the Spaniard received the green light to return to racing.

His comeback comes after missing several rounds of the championship, with KTM test and reserve rider Pol Espargaró filling in at Silverstone, Aragón, Misano and Austria.

Now fit enough to race again, Viñales will return to the Tech3 garage for Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship as the championship enters its final phase.

Although excited to be back on the grid, Viñales admitted that regaining race rhythm will be his main objective throughout the weekend.

“I’m really happy to finally say that I’m coming back to racing. The last few months have been a long process, and I’ve worked hard every day to get to this point.

“I’m not at 100% yet, but I’m on the right path and I feel ready to take this next step. Motegi will be about building things up step by step, understanding where I am physically and getting my feeling back on the bike.

“I want to especially thank everyone at the Red Bull APC and my doctors for all their work and support throughout my recovery. I can’t wait to be back on the bike and racing again.”

The 31-year-old will be aiming to ease himself back into competition while rebuilding confidence after spending months away from race weekends.

Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager Nicolas Goyon expressed his satisfaction at seeing Viñales return, while stressing that the team will allow him time to regain his rhythm rather than expecting immediate results.

“We are very happy to confirm that Maverick will be back with us in Japan. Since the beginning of this process, our priority has been to support his recovery and make sure that he returned when he was ready, rather than rushing the process.

“It has been a longer road than we initially expected, but Maverick has worked extremely hard throughout his rehabilitation, and it is great to now see him ready to return to the grid.

“We know that coming back after such a long period away will take some time, so we will support Maverick throughout the weekend and allow him to rebuild his rhythm step by step. At the same time, it is fantastic for the whole team to have our full rider line-up back together, and we are looking forward to getting back to work with Maverick in Motegi.”

With Viñales back in action, Red Bull KTM Tech3 heads into the Japanese Grand Prix with its complete rider line-up reunited for the first time since July.

While expectations will remain measured following his lengthy recovery, the return of the experienced Spaniard provides an important boost for the team as the MotoGP championship enters the final overseas rounds before the end of the 2026 season.