Folger not expected to return to Tech 3 in 2017
The Yamaha Tech 3 squad is not expecting Jonas Folger to return before the end of the 2017 MotoGP season, with tests all but confirming that the German has been hit with mononucleosis.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Folger made an appearance in Japan last week, but was swiftly sent back to Germany due to signs of extreme exhaustion and a viral infection.
He has since been examined in Munich, and after spending all of Tuesday in hospital the diagnosis seems to be headed towards mononucleosis, a virus Folger already contracted once before, back in 2012.
That means the team is now searching for a replacement rider for the final two races of the season in Malaysia and Valencia, having already drafted Kohta Nozane in for last weekend’s Japanese GP, and Broc Parkes for this weekend’s Phillip Island race.
“On Saturday we will have all the results,” Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal told Movistar. “It’s almost confirmed that it is mononucleosis.
“Jonas can’t train, he can only rest. He is fine, he’s watching on TV, but the problem is the recovery can take up to the three months.
“To be ready in time for Valencia will be almost impossible.
“It’s a difficult situation because we only found out about it on Thursday in Japan. Nozane was a Yamaha initiative, and we have Broc here, who has already tested the M1.
“It’s complicated to have a new rider at each race, but that’s how it is. We don’t know who we’ll have in Malaysia yet.”
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