Aleix Espargaro will not take part in the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park after he suffered another injury while he was training on his bicycle.

Espargaro, who is also a passionate amateur cyclist, was supposed to step in for LCR Honda as a replacement rider. However, the team confirmed on Thursday that he arrived at the circuit with strong back pain following his crash.

“Unfortunately, Aleix suffered a cycling accident a few days ago,” said an LCR Honda statement. “Although it first seemed to be a minor issue, medical checks have revealed damage to his L3 vertebra. He has now returned to Barcelona for further tests at Hospital Universitari Dexeus.”

This is the latest twist in a difficult attempt to find a replacement for injured Somkiat Chantra. So with Chantra still sidelined, Espargaro had been expected to make his first appearance for LCR alongside Johann Zarco. Zarco was already the only rider for LCR in Austria, and he will now face the same situation in Hungary.

Chantra, meanwhile, is still recovering, pushing hard for a comeback. After two weeks of rest at home in Thailand, he is now back in Barcelona and undergoing intensive rehabilitation. The aim is to return at the Catalan Grand Prix in early September, which will be his first race since the summer break.

“Somkiat has been working very seriously on his recovery,” said team boss Lucio Cecchinello told Autosport. “We are optimistic that he will be fit for Barcelona.”

However, Chantra’s future in MotoGP looks uncertain, as some reports suggest that Moto2 rider Diogo Moreira has already secured a place at LCR from 2026, which could leave Chantra without a seat on the grid next year.

For now, LCR Honda continues to navigate one of their most unsettled periods, while Espargaro and Chantra are focusing on recovery.