Pol Espargaró is, at Honda, and in this tense period of contract negotiations for 2023 and beyond, in a position as scabrous as that of Jack Miller at Ducati. It is perhaps even more difficult for the Spaniard who plays under the Repsol colors and who has not proposed to his employer as the Australian did the plan B to continue in his fold within the team satellite. And then, we also need more results at the front since rumor has it that his competitor for the RC213V is none other than the reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo. On this situation, the pressure it generates and its prospects, the younger brother of Aleix who is now a winner in MotoGP takes stock…
Pol Espargaro was the guest of 'The Caja de DAZN', a space in which pilots discover different objects linked to a moment in their life or their sporting career which give rise to an interesting conversation with Ernest Riveras, responsible for conducting this special program. But what caught the attention in this media moment was the way in which Pol Espargaro sees the rest of his career. A concern which brings us back to the burning news of the transfer market in full swing.
First, the Spaniard is true to himself when he approaches the theme by making his own assessment and self-criticism: “ the Repsol Honda team is the best team not only because of its history, which is obviously the best in MotoGP, but also because when you wear these colors and if you don't win, if you are not at the top. I mean, how can I be on this bike and not be at the front of the races? ". Considering what's happening with the RC213V, we could find a lot of excuses to Pol Espargaro, but he is not looking for it. Because he has never looked for it in his entire career, which he takes to heart: “ here, there is a lot of pressure, for two things: the first is that you have to have a good result, you have to be fast, you have to show that you are worth it. The second is what other sports don't have: risking one's life ».
Pol Espargaro: “when I didn't have a good race, it's like I don't have the right to enjoy my life"
« Unfortunately, our work gives us happiness, also in many other sectors, but when I haven't had a good race, it's like I don't have the right to enjoy my life, my private life, my social life, my friends…I am very demanding of myself, and when I fail, I am often not able to take advantage of everything that life gives me. This competitiveness and this anxiety of not doing it well goes inside, and it is very complicated to manage " to analyse Pol Espargaro.
However : " I feel perfect, in the best moment of my sporting career, but injuries now cost more to recover. I would like to extend my sporting career for 5 more years at a very good level » says the pilot who is currently 30 years old. The latter also reassures about his current relations with a Marc Marquez with whom he had trouble in his youth… “ At that time, I was 19 or 20 years old, you are still a child, and when you compete at this level, when so many people see you and on top of that the press creates a controversy, you take things very badly and you say things that are out of place. Now with time I see it and I don't like the things I saw about myself, that now make you grow and learn, that's why you mature. But those were moments that I didn't enjoy and I didn't love them for that, because I don't think it was fair to both of us. ».
« During all those years in MotoGP where we fought against each other, things calmed down and we had a very good relationship. If one day there is tension, I don't think things will be the same as before. I have enough maturity to face this in a different way. I am able, without intermediaries, to talk to him and clarify things before they get worse. ". And he ends: “ I have reached a point in my sporting career where I can be proud of what I have achieved and I am happy and calm ". But it's not time to hang up yet.
