Even at that time, it was surprising that KTM \u2013 the manufacturer supplying bikes and riders to Tech3 \u2013 could not convince Dani Pedrosa<\/a> to get on the bike, especially since he was going to be in Jerez for the official Monday tests.<\/p>\n However, it is now understood that Espargaro\u2019s unexpected injury left little time to organise a replacement.<\/p>\n Dani Pedrosa, KTM Factory Racing, Pol Espargar\u00f3, KTM Factory Racing<\/p>\n Photo by: Hazrin Yeob Men Shah \/ Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Two weeks later, though, the situation is the same. Vinales and Espargaro are still recovering, but KTM cannot convince Pedrosa and has to dig into the past to find a retired rider who can replace Vinales. The solution: Jonas Folger<\/a> will race in Le Mans for Tech3.<\/p>\n Six races in the last nine years<\/p>\n The German, who turns 33 in August, debuted in the world championship in 2008, racing in 125cc until 2011 and in Moto3 \u2013 after the category changed name \u2013 until 2013. He then moved up to Moto2, where he competed between 2014 and 2016.<\/p>\n Tech3-Yamaha promoted him to the premier class in 2017, achieving his best result at the German GP, where he led five laps and finished second, three seconds behind Marc Marquez<\/a> and seven ahead of Pedrosa, surprising everyone.<\/p>\n Four races later, after the Aragon GP, it was announced that Folger had contracted mononucleosis, which led him to step away from motorcycle racing temporarily.<\/p>\n However, Folger never returned as a full-time rider in the premier class, despite attempts to come back. He secured a Moto2 seat, competing in five grands prix in 2019 (scoring zero points).<\/p>\n In 2023, after Espargaro\u2019s serious injury at the Portuguese GP (the first race of that season), the GasGas-Tech3 team called on Folger to replace him. The German competed in six grands prix, finishing 12th in Austin \u2013 his best result. Interestingly, Folger scored nine points, a decent haul, although he finished last in every race he entered except the first, where he crossed the line ahead of Brad Binder<\/a>, who crashed and remounted.<\/p>\n Jonas Folger\u2019s final MotoGP race was with Tech3 GASGAS at Assen in 2023<\/p>\n Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography \/ LAT Images \/ via Getty Images<\/p>\n In Italy, where he finished 19th, Folger was 78.9 seconds behind the winner, Francesco Bagnaia<\/a>. In his last appearance, he scored one point (14th) at Assen on 25 June 2023. By next weekend, when he returns to a\u00a0MotoGP bike very different from those days, 1,050 days will have passed.<\/p>\n Pedrosa will not race again<\/p>\n With Vinales and Espargaro injured, logic suggests KTM would have tried to convince Pedrosa \u2013 its Austrian manufacturer\u2019s test and development rider \u2013 to compete in the French GP. The three-time world champion is in excellent shape, as shown by his appearance and lap times at Jerez during the official MotoGP test.<\/p>\n Just last Monday, Pedrosa completed the test day with 30 laps and a best time of 1m37.483s, about one and a half seconds off\u00a0Ai Ogura<\/a>, the fastest rider of the day. Additionally, KTM conducted private tests at the same circuit on Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n The Catalan rider may not be in a position to win, but he certainly wouldn\u2019t look out of place in a race. In fact, in his last appearance at the 2024 Spanish GP, he made it onto the podium in Saturday\u2019s sprint after finishing fourth and being promoted when Fabio Quartararo<\/a> (who finished third) was penalised for tyre pressure regulations.<\/p>\n So, why isn\u2019t he racing? Pedrosa recently made it clear that he has decided never to race again: \u201cMy time has passed,\u201d the #26 said in an interview with Autosport’s Spanish sister site es.motorsport.com. \u201cIn principle, I\u2019m not going to race again.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m comfortable and happy with my test rider role. I did my wildcards, and now Pol has priority to do them because he\u2019s very eager as well. I think my time has passed, so I understand that now it\u2019s time for the younger riders.\u201d<\/p>\n Dani Pedrosa, last Monday in Jerez testing with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing<\/p>\n Photo by: Hazrin Yeob Men Shah \/ Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Another, less romantic reason is that since joining KTM as a test rider in 2018, Pedrosa\u2019s contract renewals have gradually decreased in duration and pay. The latest renewal, during the Austrian manufacturer\u2019s severe financial crisis, included a significant pay cut and no longer offers bonuses for wildcard appearances.<\/p>\n While this is likely not the main reason for his decision not to race again, it may have played a part.<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n We want to hear from you!<\/p>\n Let us know what you would like to see from us in the future.<\/p>\n![\"Dani](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/dani-pedrosa-ktm-factory-racin.jpg\")
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