It’s now official: Aleix Espargaró will work as a tester for HRC next season. The Japanese firm issued a brief statement on Tuesday, July 2, to welcome the Catalan rider, who will leave the Aprilia factory to which he has dedicated the last eight years of his professional life as of the last MotoGP Grand Prix in Valencia.
The press release sent by
Honda to welcome the Granollers pilot declares: ” Honda Racing Corporation will strengthen its testing program with the incorporation of Aleix Espargaró as a test rider in 2025. With nearly 250 participations in the premier class, the 34-year-old brings a wealth of Grand Prix experience, as well as a pedigree of three victories and more than 1,300 points in MotoGP. He will join Stefan Bradla loyal HRC partner, to continue the development of the Honda RC213V. »
Aleix, for his part, says: ” I am very excited to start a new chapter in my career. It is an honor to join HRC as a test driver and team member. I will do my best to help them get back to the top. »
Aleix Espargaró thus fulfills his desire to remain linked to the MotoGP World Championship without sacrificing being a permanent rider in the championship. The Catalan will work alongside Stefan Bradlwho hinted a few days ago that his renewal with HRC was also about to be determined, so that the German and the Spaniard would bear on their shoulders the responsibility for the development of the RC213V, the least competitive prototype of the moment.
Aleix Espargaró arrives alongside Stefan Bradl
Aleix Espargaró made his MotoGP debut in 2009 at the Indianapolis Grand Prix with the team Pramac
Racingreplacing Mika KallioThis stint made him the youngest driver to debut in the category at that time, managing to score three points.
In 2010, Aleix made his debut in MotoGP, entering his first full season. Later, in 2011, he signed with the PONS Moto2 team, and at the end of the same year, his return to MotoGP was announced with one of the new CRTs of the Power Electronics Aspar team for the 2012 season.
The 2012 season was a crucial moment in the career ofEspargarobecause riding an ART of the Power Electronics Aspar team, he became the first world champion in history on CRT motorcycles. With 74 points in total, he has a gap of 12 points on his teammate Randy de Puniet. In 2014, Aleix left the Aspar MotoGP team and signed with NGM Yamaha Forward, where he achieved good results, including a pole position at the Assen GP. Then, over the next two seasons, he competed for Suzuki alongside rookie
Maverick Vinales and later in 2017 he joined the team Apriliawhere he achieved his second podium.
In 2022, Aleix brings to his side Maverick Vinales and won his first MotoGP victory at the Argentine Grand Prix, held on April 3. Finally, on May 23, 2024, at the Catalan Grand Prix, Aleix Espargaró
announces his retirement at the end of the 2024 season.
Aleix Espargaró is preparing to begin a new phase of his career as a test pilot for
Honda in 2025. His experience and skills will be valuable assets for the development of the RC213V, and his arrival is a positive sign for the future of HRC in MotoGP.
