Future Yamaha test rider Jonas Folger will be back on a MotoGP bike at official tests in the days after the Valencia GP in mid-November, as he commences duties for the currently winless manufacturer.
This was confirmed to Dorna by Movistar Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli.
Folger was forced to withdraw unexpectedly from the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha satellite team during the winter break, with troubling health issues. He was diagnosed with Gilbert’s syndrome, a rare and debilitating disorder. He was replaced by Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin, but during this season he was confirmed as rider for Yamaha’s planned new Europe-based MotoGP testing squad.
The 2019 season officially starts directly after the last round in Valencia, with group tests at the same circuit.
Former 125, Moto3 and Moto2 race winner Folger made his MotoGP debut with the Tech 3 team last year, and shone with a strong challenge to Marquez at the German GP, where he finished second. But in the latter part of the season, his results suffered as his health took a turn for the worse.
By Michael Scott
Photos GnG
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- Folger, Aragon MotoGP 2017
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- Folger, Aragon MotoGP 2017