This last 2022 Grand Prix in Valencia will have been like a summary of the two years spent by Pol Espargaró in the Repsol Honda lair. The younger brother of an Aleix, who also experienced disillusionment this weekend in his Aprilia box, sadly ended the two most difficult seasons on a personal and sporting level since he participated in the MotoGP World Championship. The Spaniard could not say goodbye to Honda with a good result. On the contrary, before completing the fifth lap of the Ricardo Tormo track on Sunday, the Catalan lost control of his RC213V while riding in 18th position. A symbolic end for a project which did not yield the expected results.
After qualifying on Saturday in 21st position, the youngest of the family I will espargaro knew that it would be very difficult to finish among the top ten in his last performance in colors that once made him dream. “ This wasn't the race we wanted », Regretted Pol, returning prematurely to his box. “ Initially, when I came to the first corner, I went too far and lost time. I made up for that time, but when I went out for the second time, I couldn't save the situation. It's not what I wanted, it's a shame »
Gathering up those last few things before moving to a team Tech3 where he will wear the colors of GASGAS, he wanted to say goodbye to the team that accompanied him to HondaLed by Ramon Aurin : “ I want to thank all my mechanics and staff who accompanied and supported me at all times. They have been behind me through good times and bad and I really appreciated it.. This is the end of our journey together, but the opportunity to run in these colors is something I won't forget ».
Pol Espargaró had his worst season since debuting with the KTM project in 2017
Pol Espargaro ends one of his worst years since competing in MotoGP. In 20 races, he only added 56 points that placed him 16th in the general classification, a situation never experienced since his debut with KTM in MotoGP in 2017, a season that the Spaniard closed with 55 points and a 17th place.
Despite the bad times he spent at Honda since his arrival in 2021, Pol Espargaro specifies that " I have never lost motivation because it is my job and my passion ". He adds : " you learn from good things, but with bad things you learn more. It was one of the most difficult years of my sporting career. In these situations, you learn to value the good times more ". He adds : " I have two daughters and during all this time it has been very difficult for me to enjoy them ».
The future GASGAS Factory rider believes that Honda “ has enough muscle » to reverse the situation in which the Japanese factory finds itself, « and next year they will » predicted Pol, who also noticed a certain lack of desire at HRC to improve. “ This year they didn't want it enough », he comments. An astonishing situation that does not contradict Marc Marquez to the increasingly martial internal discourse, as if he had a doubt.
MotoGP Valencia: ranking
Credit classification motogp.com
