{"id":1873913,"date":"2026-04-09T08:32:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1873913"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:32:36","slug":"aleix-espargaro-injured-in-very-heavy-crash-at-private-honda-motogp-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1873913","title":{"rendered":"Aleix Espargaro injured in \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d at private Honda MotoGP test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Aleix Espargaro injured in \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d at private Honda MotoGP test<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Aleix Espargaro may need surgery after suffering a big crash during a private Honda test this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Duncan <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-09T12:49:13+00:00\">Updated: 09 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Aleix Espargaro, Honda Test Team, 2026 Sepang test<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Honda MotoGP test rider Aleix Espargaro has revealed he suffered four broken vertebrae in a \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d during a private HRC test at Sepang this week.<\/p>\n<p>The three-time MotoGP race winner joined Honda at the end of the 2024 season, after calling time on his grand prix racing career.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, he has spearheaded bike development for HRC through testing and wildcard appearances, dovetailing that last year with a professional cycling campaign.<\/p>\n<p>For 2026, he has stepped away from cycling competition to focus fully on his Honda testing role.<\/p>\n<p>Honda has been at Sepang this week with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami for testing, with the pair seemingly putting the brand\u2019s 2027 850cc bike through its paces again.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, Espargaro has revealed he was hospitalised after a heavy crash on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>He took to his social media channels to state that he suffered four broken vertebrae but has been cleared to fly home, where he will be evaluated for surgery in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3639dec5ba899431497b742cdc012ecaeb78b5ed775fcd88b20b8619423ea063\">  Podcast: How MotoGP\u2019s reserve rider proposal could work   Luca Marini urges Honda to trial 2027 MotoGP aero \u201cdetails\u201d this season <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>His post on Instagram read: \u201cOn Tuesday, during the test here in Sepang, I suffered a very heavy crash.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a result, I sustained several contusions and four broken vertebrae, although by a very small margin, and thankfully, they did not affect the spinal cord.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter a few days at CU Aurelius Hospital, where I\u2019ve been treated incredibly well, I\u2019m now able to fly home with [my wife] Laura, who came to the rescue from the other side of the world (once again, and I\u2019ve lost count\u2026) and there we will evaluate whether surgery is needed at Quiron Dexeus.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1ed5d85e5825ce88a31e08b03a1bd47d9ca8f657658a81cf8473279bc17670fc\">  MotoGP engine guru set for swift KTM return from Honda?   Honda\u2019s 850cc MotoGP bike back on track at Sepang? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThanks to my entire Honda team for taking care of me these past few days. Sorry for the scare, I\u2019ll be back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A post shared by Aleix 41 (@aleixespargaro)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"placeholder embed instagram\">\n<div>Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Espargaro\u2019s injuries will come as a blow to Honda\u2019s intensive development programme, after revealing earlier this year that it had first put its 850cc prototype on track in December.<\/p>\n<p>While no wildcard plans had been announced, the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez presented an opportunity for Espargaro to race for the first time this season ahead of the first in-season test of 2026 on the Monday afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>There will be four in-season tests this year, following the Spanish Grand Prix, Catalan Grand Prix, Czech Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>The latter pair of tests will mark the first Pirelli running for the current grid, which has so far been done in private by test riders.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>MotoGP was due to be in race action this weekend in Qatar, but war in the Middle East forced the event to be postponed until later in the year.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Aleix Espargaro may need surgery after suffering a big crash during a private Honda test this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Honda MotoGP test rider Aleix Espargaro has revealed he suffered four broken vertebrae in a \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d during a private HRC test at Sepang this week.<\/p>\n<p>The three-time MotoGP race winner joined Honda at the end of the 2024 season, after calling time on his grand prix racing career.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, he has spearheaded bike development for HRC through testing and wildcard appearances, dovetailing that last year with a professional cycling campaign.<\/p>\n<p>For 2026, he has stepped away from cycling competition to focus fully on his Honda testing role.<\/p>\n<p>Honda has been at Sepang this week with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami for testing, with the pair seemingly putting the brand\u2019s 2027 850cc bike through its paces again.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, Espargaro has revealed he was hospitalised after a heavy crash on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>He took to his social media channels to state that he suffered four broken vertebrae but has been cleared to fly home, where he will be evaluated for surgery in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3639dec5ba899431497b742cdc012ecaeb78b5ed775fcd88b20b8619423ea063\">  Podcast: How MotoGP\u2019s reserve rider proposal could work   Luca Marini urges Honda to trial 2027 MotoGP aero \u201cdetails\u201d this season <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>His post on Instagram read: \u201cOn Tuesday, during the test here in Sepang, I suffered a very heavy crash.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a result, I sustained several contusions and four broken vertebrae, although by a very small margin, and thankfully, they did not affect the spinal cord.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter a few days at CU Aurelius Hospital, where I\u2019ve been treated incredibly well, I\u2019m now able to fly home with [my wife] Laura, who came to the rescue from the other side of the world (once again, and I\u2019ve lost count\u2026) and there we will evaluate whether surgery is needed at Quiron Dexeus.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1ed5d85e5825ce88a31e08b03a1bd47d9ca8f657658a81cf8473279bc17670fc\">  MotoGP engine guru set for swift KTM return from Honda?   Honda\u2019s 850cc MotoGP bike back on track at Sepang? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThanks to my entire Honda team for taking care of me these past few days. Sorry for the scare, I\u2019ll be back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Honda MotoGP test rider Aleix Espargaro has revealed he suffered four broken vertebrae in a \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d during a private HRC test at Sepang this week.<\/p>\n<p>The three-time MotoGP race winner joined Honda at the end of the 2024 season, after calling time on his grand prix racing career.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, he has spearheaded bike development for HRC through testing and wildcard appearances, dovetailing that last year with a professional cycling campaign.<\/p>\n<p>For 2026, he has stepped away from cycling competition to focus fully on his Honda testing role.<\/p>\n<p>Honda has been at Sepang this week with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami for testing, with the pair seemingly putting the brand\u2019s 2027 850cc bike through its paces again.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, Espargaro has revealed he was hospitalised after a heavy crash on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>He took to his social media channels to state that he suffered four broken vertebrae but has been cleared to fly home, where he will be evaluated for surgery in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3639dec5ba899431497b742cdc012ecaeb78b5ed775fcd88b20b8619423ea063\">  Podcast: How MotoGP\u2019s reserve rider proposal could work   Luca Marini urges Honda to trial 2027 MotoGP aero \u201cdetails\u201d this season <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>His post on Instagram read: \u201cOn Tuesday, during the test here in Sepang, I suffered a very heavy crash.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a result, I sustained several contusions and four broken vertebrae, although by a very small margin, and thankfully, they did not affect the spinal cord.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter a few days at CU Aurelius Hospital, where I\u2019ve been treated incredibly well, I\u2019m now able to fly home with [my wife] Laura, who came to the rescue from the other side of the world (once again, and I\u2019ve lost count\u2026) and there we will evaluate whether surgery is needed at Quiron Dexeus.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1ed5d85e5825ce88a31e08b03a1bd47d9ca8f657658a81cf8473279bc17670fc\">  MotoGP engine guru set for swift KTM return from Honda?   Honda\u2019s 850cc MotoGP bike back on track at Sepang? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThanks to my entire Honda team for taking care of me these past few days. Sorry for the scare, I\u2019ll be back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1092929\/1\/aleix-espargaro-injured-very-heavy-crash-private-honda-motogp-test&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1288257_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Aleix Espargaro injured in \u201cvery heavy crash\u201d at private Honda MotoGP test Aleix Espargaro may need surgery after suffering a big crash during a private Honda test this week Lewis Duncan Updated: 09 Apr 2026 Share Aleix Espargaro, Honda Test Team, 2026 Sepang test \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose Add as a preferred source [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1873913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1873913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873913\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1873913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1873913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1873913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}