Ecstar Suzuki’s Aleix Espargaro will not take part in the team’s planned Sepang MotoGP test next week after hurting his back while riding motocross.

The Spaniard was riding near his Granollers home and reported back pain after landing a jump. An MRI this morning revealed a flexion fracture of the T9 vertebrae but excluded any further complications.

Espargaro was cleared to go home today and he will now take a two-to-three-week rest that should see him fully recover.

Team-mate Maverick Viñales and Suzuki MotoGP test riders Takuya Tsuda and Nobuatsu Aoki will attend the test working the development of the new Michelin tyres and new unified software.