Aleix Espargaró takes stock before his final race as a MotoGP rider.
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After 14 seasons in MotoGP, 227 races, 2 victories, 10 podiums and 5 pole positions, while waiting for what he can add during the last race, Aleix Espargaro will bid farewell to the world championship as a regular rider. He will do so after eight years at Aprilia and before operating as HRC test pilotThe Spanish driver gave a video interview to the Italian media Moto sprint 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, 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 some good results, but I expected to be a little more consistent and fight more for the podium. We also had a couple of sprint wins and a couple of podiums, so overall it's not bad." Aleix is P11 and Maverick is P7 in the drivers' standings.
Aleix Espargaró's advice to Jorge Martín for the MotoGP World Championship finale
Aleix Espargaró says he talks a lot every day with George Martín and recognizes that Pramac rider a little nervous about final weekend of championship, where he can enter the story, but he has a clear idea of what to tell him. "For me, the best advice I can give him is to live a normal life, go out to dinner. After every Grand Prix dinner, he comes to my camper van to eat yogurt, do everything the same, watch a movie, not change anything, because everything he did led him here, so now he just has to be calm."
As for who he thinks will win the MotoGP World Championship, he acknowledges that Jorge Martín 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 Martin have done is impressive. "The difference between the two of them and the others is noticeable. It reminds me of the mythical ones from long ago. They had a really 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 him 1. «
"The first podium was very special, even more so than the first victory"
The Catalan pilot arrived at the Noale plant 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 say even more than the first victory. Getting on the podium for the first time with a brand is something very special. "
Thoughts before his last race
Number 41 will enjoy his last weekend as a regular 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 miss 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 things, but for now 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 with my children, so after 3, 4 or 5 months without having dinner with them, it will surely be a strange feeling.
After so many years in MotoGP, in the world championship, as a leader in a project that has grown, the eldest of the Espargarós confesses what he is most proud of. “From my resilience, from 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 for the last 8 years at Aprilia, that's why it will be a very emotional last race."
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MotoGP Aleix Espargaró
