Aleix Espargaró entered, like his colleagues, the invigorating winter break, but he also entered into deep reflection on the next two years to come. The 32-year-old rider, who has been involved in the Aprilia project for six seasons, knows he is closer to the end than the beginning of his career. In 2022, he will need to take a decisive step towards the top to establish himself as a title contender. Failing that, he could exchange his handlebars for another saddle, or even an armchair in the Noale manufacturer's box...
Aleix Espargaró wonders what its future will be over the next two years. On the site Todocircuito, he declares himself open to exploring horizons other than those of a Grand Prix driver. He even declares that he is no longer open to retraining in an environment where we also operate with handlebars, a frame and a saddle. But without an engine...
The Spaniard comments: “ Next year is my last year of contract with Aprilia. We'll see how it goes during the first races of the 2022 season. Afterwards, I will decide if I race more or if I accept another role in the team, or if I decide to accept something in the cycling world ". One last mention which surprises, but the Spaniard specifies: “ I'm getting older, but for a sport like cycling, I think I still have time ».
However, he plans to last one or maybe two more years at the top of the competition: “ I didn't consider it this year because I think this year I was fast and competitive, and I was very, very focused on MotoGP, but I will have a lot of time this winter to think about it and analyze my future. I feel like I'm motivated and I feel like physically and mentally I'm strong enough to run for at least one or two more years. I still have to decide if I want to sign another year, I will say, for example, 2023, or maybe 2023 and 2024 ».
Aleix Espargaró: “ it's also important to see Aprilia's idea to see if they want a younger rider«
Aleix Espargaró thus raises the option of an annual lease, the same one that was imposed on Petrucci at KTM and Miller at Ducati. But in Aleix’s case, it’s a request: “ it is also important to see the idea that Aprilia has. I haven't talked much about the future with them because I know they've been very, very busy with the new team and they have a lot of work to do. But we will have time during the winter to talk about it, to see their ideas, their wishes and see if they want a younger driver ».
Aleix Espargaró recalls thatAprilia will race under its own colors from 2022, and no longer under the Gresini awning. It was therefore necessary to Massimo rivola organize accordingly. Still, what will decide what happens next is the potential that the RS-GP will actually display: “ Aprilia is making a big effort, investing a lot in the new team. There will be lots of new things. It's exciting, I can't wait ».
However… " But really, these things come too late for me. It has been a pleasure to be part of the Gresini family, but Aprilia is Aprilia. It's a big brand and we deserve to be a complete factory, have a good team, strong structure ". We will remember that the end of the season was not what the Spaniard expected, with less good results compared to the start of the season. In Jerez, Aleix Espargaró had said he would have expected more improvements.
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