RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Moto2 rider Mario Suryo Aji is targeting a return to competition before the championship's summer break after recovering from a neck injury that sidelined him for three consecutive races, raising hopes of a comeback as early as the German Grand Prix in July 2026.

“Hopefully before the summer break because what I feel now is that I’m almost 100 percent recovered,” Mario said during an interview in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 9, as quoted by Antara.

The Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider has missed three consecutive rounds--the Catalan, Italian, and Hungarian Grands Prix--after undergoing surgery and rehabilitation. His absence has left him with just three championship points this season.

Mario earned those points at the Brazilian Grand Prix in March, finishing 13th at the Ayrton Senna Circuit in Goiania. The result marked both his first points of the 2026 season and Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s first Moto2 points of the year.

According to the current Moto2 standings, the rider from Magetan, East Java, sits 25th with three points, making his return an important step toward rebuilding his competitive rhythm.

Mario explained that the injury originated in a crash during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. However, the problem was only identified after the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, where he struggled to control the motorcycle.

“The issue actually started in Jerez. We only discovered it after Le Mans and realized further treatment was needed,” he added.

The injury involved a fracture to the C7 vertebra, with symptoms extending into his arm and causing numbness.

For the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park on June 5-7, Australian rider Jacob Roulstone replaced Mario in the Idemitsu Honda Team Asia lineup. The team opted to give the Indonesian rider additional recovery time to ensure he returns fully fit.

Mario is scheduled to travel to Spain next week for further medical evaluations that will determine when he receives clearance to race again.

While he has not confirmed a specific comeback date, he said the German Grand Prix in July remains a possibility if medical assessments show continued progress.

“Maybe Germany. Next week I have to fly to Spain for another check-up to see how the recovery is progressing,” Mario said.

The 21-year-old acknowledged that the rehabilitation process has been challenging, particularly after dealing with several injuries and surgeries during recent racing seasons. Nevertheless, he remains focused on recovery and is determined to return to competition in the best possible condition. ***