Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia has sent a message to Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro after he suffered serious injuries in a crash in Malaysia.
The Spaniard has been testing Honda’s 850cc bike for the 2027 season and regulations alongside Takaaki Nakagami. MotoGP fans are loving the sound of Honda’s machine as the sport enters a new era next year.
A scary crash for Aleix Espargaro
He was testing the 850cc Honda in Malaysia
Espargaro flew to Sepang to conduct another test this week, but it ended prematurely with a violent accident, as he announced on Thursday via social media. The 36-year-old suffered ‘several contusions and four broken vertebrae’, but fortunately, he sustained no spinal cord damage.
Espargaro has been discharged from hospital in Malaysia and will travel back to Barcelona with his wife to see if surgery is required. Multiple riders from the paddock have flooded in to offer messages of support to the Honda test rider.
Francesco Bagnaia’s message to Aleix Espargaro after suffering violent Honda test crash
Among those to send their best wishes was Ducati star Bagnaia, who wrote under Espargaro’s Instagram post: “Forza,” meaning ‘come on’ in Italian, followed by a praying hands and arm flex emoji.
The Honda HRC MotoGP’s official account also messaged their test rider, saying: “Get well soon Aleix. We’ll be here waiting for your return.”
It is unknown how long Espargaro will be out for, but Honda will be able to continue developing the 2027 machine. It was reported that WSBK rider Jake Dixon will be Honda’s substitute rider, meaning that he could now have an extended role.
Full-time riders Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira will be able to test the 850cc bike from June. They will be keen to get mileage on the machine as soon as possible as Honda look to return to the front of the grid.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Fabio Quartararo, Alvaro Bautista and Johann Zarco among others to show support for Aleix Espargaro
Honda riders Zarco and Marini were among others to comment on Espargaro’s post. The LCR star wrote: “Courage Aleix,” while the HRC rider said: “Come on, mate!!” in Italian.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo commented: “Animo,” meaning ‘cheer up’ as he sent his best wishes to his former title rival.
Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer, who has only just recovered from a lengthy injury himself in 2026, wrote under the Honda test rider’s post: “Animooooo Tito.” Former MotoGP rider and current WSBK star Alvaro Bautista also wrote in Spanish: “Take care my friend… Much encouragement.”
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