Pol Espargaró arrived at the very beginning of the KTM project in MotoGP, coming from a good Yamaha then nestled at Tech3. A period that he did not take advantage of to assert himself with the decision-makers at Iwata, so much so that he went to take up the cause of those at Mattighofen. After four years, he leaves an RC16 which won on three occasions this season, but without him. He nevertheless took part in three pole positions and eight podiums. And, above all, Pol Espargaró has become a man. A new scope which will serve him for his new objective: Honda, with Marc Marquez in it…
Pol Espargaro, at 29, offers himself the challenge of his career. A final shock from which it will emerge grown or crumbled. It is in fact a matter of settling in with Repsol Honda and not to submit to the law of Marc Marquez. A challenge, even if this year 2020, and the loss of the eight-time World Champion, has altered the memory and memories of the phenomenon of Cervera who retired Dani Pedrosa et Jorge Lorenzo...
But Aleix's younger brother feels ready as ever. And much more than if he had had to make this journey from Yamaha . Over this period Tech3 who saw him appear in MotoGP, he doesn't only have good memories of it. Particularly in terms of the consideration given to it by the manufacturer: “ before moving to KTM I was with another manufacturer and I didn't feel like I was part of something big and that I could achieve something important » he remembers.
« I was treated like a rookie and after three years I didn't feel like I had really learned much », even insists the Spaniard, who claims a sixth place in the championship as the best overall result of this period. This year, he finished fifth overall with the KTM… “ When I heard about the KTM project, I saw it as an opportunity to be part of a historic project. I had known KTM for a long time and had seen this manufacturer establish itself in other series. I said to myself: “why shouldn’t they do it in MotoGP?” » ».
Pol remembers: “ I really wanted to be part of the project because I felt like we could reach the top together ". The first lap in MotoGP-KTM was unforgettable, underlines Pol. “ It was in Valencia in November 2016 and I was testing the new bike. A lot of things didn't work right in the first round, of course it was all new, but I could already see the character of the bike, which has never changed in four years ».
Pol Espargaro: “They taught me to be a MotoGP rider”
« I realized the bike worked when I changed my riding style, and that was my goal. Because before that, with the other manufacturer, we had the impression that the driver had no real influence on the lap time. It was different on the KTM. Depending on how much I went to the limit and how much I risked, the lap times also improved. It was very important to me », explains the youngest of the two brothers I will espargaro with a smile.
« When I got back to the box, I saw all these guys' faces waiting for my verdict. And I was very happy. Because while there were of course a lot of problems to solve, because the bike and the whole project was still very new, I recognized the character of the machine and I was really excited » he remembers.
But now it's a new adventure Honda who presents himself, and this time, we are far from a beginner team… On Motorsport total, he says he is not worried: “ when I started with KTM we were 3,5 seconds behind. In four years, we managed to build a motorcycle that works. Honda has always been ahead. Maybe the first year won't be so good, but the second year the bike will be great ».
Certainly, but the pilot facing Marc Marquez will it also be? “ I've always said it's not about being afraid, it's about discovering. A professional athlete always wants to improve and be challenged. This chapter of my career is an adventure. I can improve and show how fast I am going. I've been underestimated in the past because we weren't good ».
The Spanish driver plans to finish in the top 5 with Honda, as he did with KTM : " I want to do it with Honda too. It's not about proving anything to anyone, I want to prove to myself that I'm a top rider. I feel like I'm at a level I've never been before. I became more mature ».
The brother ofAleix Espargarò would like to thank KTM for his maturation, which makes him believe that he can have a say alongside someone like Marquez : " I feel like I grew from child to man on KTM. I learned a lot about motorcycles. They taught me how to be a MotoGP rider. Without this knowledge, it would be impossible to compete against the best driver in the world. Now I feel like a man ».
