Zimpapers Logo

Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP rider Jonas Folger will not return to the team in 2018, the French outfit has announced.

Folger was forced to miss the final four rounds of the 2017 season, as well as post-season testing, after being diagnosed with ‘Gilbert’s syndrome’, a genetic ailment that had rendered the German bedridden.

Initially, it was expected that the 24-year-old would be able to make a full recovery, with Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal saying he expected Folger to be back to full strength by Christmas.

However, the team has now issued a statement saying that Folger will not be able to return in 2018 as he seeks a solution to his health issues.

“I’m incredibly sad to be saying this, but I will not be racing MotoGP in 2018,” said Folger. “I wasn’t able to make the improvements I was hoping for, and at this stage I don’t feel able to ride a MotoGP machine at 100 percent.

“I hope to be back one day and want to thank you all for your ongoing support.”

Folger’s absence leaves Tech 3 needing to rapidly find a replacement, with Poncharal adding the news was “hard to swallow”.

“It is still very difficult for me to believe, that he’s not going to race with us in 2018, especially because he has been somebody I had lot of faith in and I was sure we would reach top level together this year,” said the Frenchman.

“I completely respect his decision, although it’s hard to swallow. Yet, I will try to find a solution for a replacement rider, which is a very difficult mission, as all of the fast riders are already contracted.”

A race winner in 125cc/Moto3 and Moto2, Folger graduated to the premier class at the start of 2017, partnering fellow rookie Johann Zarco at the satellite Yamaha Tech 3 squad.

He scored a best finish of second place at his home round at the Sachsenring, where he narrowly missed out on victory to Marc Marquez.

His place at the Tech 3 team was taken by Kohta Nozane in Motegi, Broc Parkes in Phillip Island and then Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark for the final two rounds in Sepang and Valencia.

Despite missing those races, Folger still ended up 10th in the championship on 84 points.—motorsport.comw