Zarco to attempt early MotoGP return at Aragon

Johann Zarco is set for an earlier-than-expected return to MotoGP at the Aragon Grand Prix, scheduled for August 28-30, 2026, after his LCR Honda team announced his intention to compete. The French rider has been absent from the grid since suffering serious knee ligament injuries in a crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in May. His comeback is contingent on passing a mandatory medical examination at the circuit.

Zarco's recovery has progressed favorably, allowing him to move up his return from an initial target of September. The 36-year-old sustained damage to his medial collateral, anterior cruciate, and posterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee during a Turn 1 pileup at the restarted Catalan race on May 17. He became trapped between the seat and rear wheel of Francesco Bagnaia's Ducati during the incident, which also involved Luca Marini. Doctors opted for a non-surgical approach to treat the injury.

In recent weeks, Zarco has gradually increased his workload as part of his rehabilitation, riding both a supermoto bike and a Honda CBR1000RR. "I'm pretty happy with how the knee is progressing and recovering. I feel good enough to jump back on the MotoGP bike, and I'm really...