The rumor of an Aleix Espargaró active on the transfer market with the idea of continuing his career elsewhere than at Aprilia, launched from the media Dazn, surprised to say the least in Austin. A week after the euphoria of victory in Argentina, we thought that the renewal of the lease would come naturally. And for two years, during which the 32-year-old Spaniard would be in an ideal situation to reap the benefits of his investment in the Noale brand, started in 2017. Who other than him would have the most legitimacy to reap the benefits of this work? But in MotoGP, nothing is simple…
Before launching, to compete for the Grand Prix of the Americas, from his thirteenth place on the starting grid which disappoints him a lot, the current leader of the championnat clarified that it was not the only sadness that inhabited him on this Sunday… Against all expectations, the pilot of 32 years made it known that between Aprilia and there was water in the gas.
The subject is after 2022. Aleix Espargaro wants to continue being a MotoGP rider for at least two more seasons, and although his priority at the moment is none other than renewing with the Noale brand, the Catalan has the impression that his factory is not making as much effort that it would be necessary to retain him. Aleix knows that contracts and renewals should be signed when a driver is at his best, and in the case of 41, that is now. The eldest I will espargaro has just taken his first MotoGP victory in Argentina, a victory which also saw the man from Granollers land at Austin as leader of the premier category, a situation in which Aprilia had never been found since the arrival of the RS-GP.
In Indonesia, the Aleix representative sat down for the first time at the table with Aprilia managers to discuss the renewal of the contract. In this first approach, and although there is still no formal offer of renewal from Noale, the Catalan found himself “ disappointed » by the result of the meeting, insisting on the fact that the two parties are still far from understanding each other to prolong a relationship which is this year on its sixth anniversary.
Aleix Espargaró: “ the paddock will move and I will have other opportunities«
In Austin, after qualifying 13th for the starting grid of the Grand Prix of the Americas, the MotoGP leader once again assured that "he would like to stay with Aprilia » before thinking about running for another factory in 2023. « For the moment, we have started discussions with them », declared number 41 on the microphone of MotoGP.com. " We're still a long way off, I expected something a little better from them."
Aleix Espargaró understands that Aprilia wants to wait to see how the next races go before presenting a final offer for 2023 and 2024: “ it's not easy, it's also still early, I hope that when the European races start I can show that I'm still fast, that I'm capable of winning races and that podiums are now easier. I will do my best“, underlined the Catalan, suggesting that “ the paddock will move » over the next few weeks and therefore there will be “ other opportunities » for him if Aprilia don't decide quickly...
