MotoGP: FP2 video call between Espargaros ‘to make Pol smile’

Aprilia MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro says his impromptu video call to brother Pol during the delay to the start of today’s free practice two session was an attempt to cheer up the Red Bull KTM rider after a difficult week for the younger of the brothers.

Pol crashed during warm up for the Czech Grand Prix and has spent most of the week since in hospital recovering from his injuries, after initially suffering a loss of feeling and movement in his limbs. Released from hospital today to his home in Barcelona, the Spaniard has been forced to sit out this weekend’s action at his manufacturer’s home race in Spielberg.

But, with Pol struggling with his injuries and heavy rain bringing a delay to proceedings this afternoon, the elder of the two brothers says the unexpected call was intended as comic relief.

“I’ve seen Pol very upset during these last few days because this time it wasn’t a collarbone or a hand that he broke. It was something that made the doctors tell him that he was very close to having big, big consequences, so he was very upset this week – I’ve never seen my brother like this. So, it came into my mind to do something funny and call him, and he didn’t expect it at all – he was in shock! I made him smile a little bit so it was worth it!”

Fighting to be fit for the British Grand Prix in two weeks’ time, KTM bosses could be left in a difficult position if he’s unable to return to the action. Required by the rules to field a replacement rider but with test rider Mika Kallio also injured, with no pool of superbike talent to draw a replacement from like other manufactures do, they admitted today that they are struggling to line up a potential replacement.