Aleix Espargaró takes stock ahead of his final race as a MotoGP starter.
Par Mario Bordonaba / Motosan.es
After 14 seasons in MotoGP, 227 races, 2 victories, 10 podiums and 5 pole positionswhile waiting for what he can add during the last race, Aleix Espargaró will bid farewell to the world championship as a starting driver. He will do it after eight years at Aprilia and before operating as HRC test pilot. The Spanish pilot gave a video interview to the Italian media Motosprint where he takes stock of this season, all the years spent in MotoGP, the project at Aprilia, what will happen to him when he leaves full-time racing and, of course, on the fight between Martin and Bagnaia.
» This is not the year I expected I expected to be a little more competitive. We started the season well, got good results, but I expected to be a little more consistent and fight more for the podium. We also had a few sprint wins and a few podiums, so overall not bad. » Aleix is P11 and Maverick is P7 in the driver standings.
Destiny, unfortunately because of what happened in Valencia, wanted the last race of the world championship to take place in Barcelona, the home of '41 . “It will be a mix of emotions, a strange race of course, because I didn't want it to be in Barcelona, but after what happened in Valencia, Barcelona will be very special, because it is my last race with Aprilia. after 8 years my last race in the world championship, my home race, so it will be a very emotional weekend. »
Aleix Espargaró's advice to Jorge Martín for the MotoGP World Championship final
Aleix Espargaró says he talks a lot every day with Jorge Martín and recognizes that the Pramac driver is a little nervous about the final weekend of the championshipwhere he can enter the story, but he has a clear idea of what to say to him. “For me, the best advice you can give him is to live a normal life, go out to dinner. After each Grand Prix dinner, he comes to my camper to eat yogurt, do everything the same, watch a film, don't change anything, because everything he's done has led him hereso now he just needs to be calm. »
As for who he thinks will win the MotoGP World Championship, he acknowledges that Jorge Martin has a good advantage and thinks he will win it, because he has been very fast in the last races. He clearly admits that what Pecco and Jorge Martín have done is impressive. » The difference between the two of them and the others is notable. It reminds me of the mythical ones from long ago. They had a truly impressive championship and they both deserve this title . But listen, Martin is my best friend and for me, entrusting him with my motorcycle is a dream. I hope I can remove the number 4 and just give it the 1. «
“The first podium was very special, even more than the first victory”
The Catalan pilot arrived at the Noale factory in 2017 achieving Aprilia's first podium in MotoGP in 2021 and, in 2022, the first victory in Argentina . “What comes to mind most is the victory in Barcelona at home, but I will always remember my first podium with Aprilia, because arriving at a factory that had never been on the podium and seeing all the engineers and everyone excited was something very special. Three years ago, at Silverstone, the first podium was something very special, I would even say more than the first victory. Getting on the podium for the first time with a brand is something very special . »
Thoughts before his final race
The number 41 will enjoy his last weekend as a starting driver before officially becoming Honda test driver and will then be presented with a new situation for him. » I don't know if I'll be missing something, I have to find out. Right now I want to define it, I'm a little tired and I'm sure thatau After two or three months I will miss a lot of thingsbut for the moment, I'm focusing on my team. For me, after 8 years, they are not just mechanics, they are my second family. I spend as much time with them as I do with my children, so after 3, 4 or 5 months without dinner with them, it will probably be a strange feeling. »
After so many years in MotoGP, in the world championship, as leader in a project that has grown, the eldest Espargaró admits what he is most proud of. “Of my resilience, of never gave up to have been able to build something very special, especially with Aprilia, to have written history together. I am very happy, especially with the last 8 years at Aprilia, which is why it will be a very emotional last race. »
Read the original article on Motosan.es
Mario Bordonaba
MotoGP Aleix Espargaró
