KTM's Pol Espargaro will sit out the second day of running at the Qatar MotoGP test due to ongoing back problems from the crash he sustained in Malaysia in January.
The Spaniard suffered a 250km/h spill at Turn 4 during the second day of the Sepang test, and was later diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back.
Espargaro underwent a successful operation in Barcelona and sat out the Thailand test in February as a result.
Returning to action for the opening day of running at Losail on Thursday, the KTM rider managed 56 laps on his way to 19th on the timesheets.
Despite his fairly productive day, Espargaro admitted he isn't able to ride the RC16 as he would like, and feels test rider Mika Kallio would be of more use to KTM in pushing forward with developing the bike.
“It was good to be here again and ride again, but unfortunately I still don't feel ready enough to continue riding tomorrow,” Espargaro said.
“I did a lot of laps today but I'm not in shape and I can't ride how I normally do. We need to develop the bike to be a good bike, and right now I'm not the Pol I used to be.
“But it's good to try, it was good to make some laps, but tomorrow Mika will ride for me and replace me. I think Mika will do a better job than me tomorrow.”
Espargaro will remain in Qatar to offer any assistance he can in the garage on Friday, and will attempt to ride on Saturday.
“It has only been two weeks since surgery and normally rehabilitation starts after two months. I feel weak in that zone and then I need to use other muscles to compensate.
“I've been in bed for two weeks, so I feel weak, and I'm stressed on the bike. I'll try to help as much as I can off the bike, on track and in the box, trying to give some tips.
“Then on day three I will try again to feel ready and good.”
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