Let’s talk MotoGP: We absolutely have to talk about Pol Espargaró – 2/2

Pol Espargaró will no longer be a starting rider in 2024, so “Let’s Talk MotoGP” looks at the subject. Yes, we know that we will see him again soon, as his helmet suggested in Valencia, but probably no longer registered as a full season starter, given the competition that is rearing its ugly head. So, since yesterday, we have been trying to analyze his career : era by era, we retrace his journey without producing his biography, but by drawing lessons relating to each era of his life. I therefore invite you to find this first part by clicking here, because it will help you understand the ins and outs of today's episode.

After studying his debut marked by strong enthusiasm, explosive but under-the-radar performances, and difficult title races due to great adversity, let's dive into the deep end of MotoGP.

 

Not in the right place? (2014-2016)

 

I have already written a lot about Tech3, our national pride. It’s a great team, with a gripping story full of greatness. However, there is a successful driver profile within Hervé Poncharal's training. Casements, types outsiders, who don't give up and who stand out for their great combativeness. I am not saying that this is a selection criterion, but it is clear that the drivers who have left a big mark on the team in the modern era are similar, including in their approach. Bradley Smith, Cal Crutchlow, Miguel Oliveira, Johann Zarco, among others, were all consistent in their performance, but also capable of regular bursts..

You already know what’s coming next after reading this introduction; Pol Espargaró was not like that. There are few examples, but it is clear that the team has more difficulty exploiting talents already easily identified in lower categories. Recently, we have Remy Gardner and Raúl Fernández for whom it did not work, and, of course, Pol Espargaró.

 

 

Attention ! To tell the truth, looking back at the results, it's not as bad as I remembered. The Spaniard had this regularity in performance, but never managed to unlock two essential things to claim even better handlebars. First of all, the ability to create the feat, to attempt breakthroughs. Despite a relatively high number of crashes in three seasons (ten retirements over the period), I don't have many images of him on the black and green bike that come to mind. Besides, there is no podium, no pole, and no best lap in the race, even in 2016 when the level of the grid tightened.

Second point, progression. In fact, he has only regressed in three years. Certainly, he scored a little more points in 2016 than in 2015, but this is mainly conditioned by the five blank results in the first of these seasons. Without a podium, we tend to prefer a heroic Bradley Smith in 2015, even if in much more difficulty on the Michelins in 2016.

I took time moving to MotoGP because, with a few exceptions, it is the first team in the premier category that determines a career. And I have to say that I was disappointed. In 2014, it went from prospect promising, with semi-wasted talent, who had not progressed in three seasons at the end of 2016. Already 25 years old, he was no longer this quick youngster in qualifying who was going to destroy everything.

 

Standard bearer (2017-2020)

 

Then the KTM opportunity presented itself. And there, I found it much better. His 2017 was catastrophic, but the RC16 was particularly tough. I'm not going to go back over each of his four seasons with the Austrians, but more, try to learn from them. I see three quite distinct ones.

The first is that whether we like it or not, whether we like him or not, he remains the most emblematic rider in the history of KTM in MotoGP. The one who hung on, even when it was very difficult, even despite injuries like in 2018. Waiting for Brad Binder to come get him, which will happen, that's for sure. But compared to the South African, I find that Pol's effort to put a brand without a winning history on the map was more impressive than winning a Grand Prix. His average points per race tripled between 2017 and 2020, where he finished fifth overall with five podiums, that huge battle at Spielberg to boot. His 2019 season too, very impressive because marked by a small number of falls, proof of his ability to change approach. Frankly, I find this passage quite underrated, and for good reason…

… His behavior. This is the second lesson of these few years. Pol at KTM, these are the shocking declarations, the clash against Johann Zarco in Brno in 2020, the affirmation of a strong character that we had already noticed since his young years. We love it, or we hate it, but personally, I think that in the age of social networks and politically correct motorized disciplines, this type of character is essential to the sustainability of a sport. His own like that of his brother for that matter.

 

 

Third; we found our speed in qualifying. Many had completely forgotten about her, and rightly so, but she was almost as good as Marc Márquez on a lap in 2012, with an inferior bike! We are talking about a comparison with the best of all time in this exercise. Hold on tight: no one has ever taken pole again after their two achievements in 2020 on the official KTM.

 

Who can throw stones at him? (2021-2022)

 

This is what allows me to make the transition with the Honda Repsol period. Because apart from the efforts in qualifying (also underrated, with this pole at Silverstone), there is not much to remember from his time in the most prestigious team. Two podiums, and then gone; which seems a great accomplishment compared to Joan mir, I grant you.

I don't want to be hard on him for this, because this transfer was not meaningless. At 30 years old, Alberto Puig himself asks you to come to Honda Repsol, well paid, to ride alongside your former nemesis Marc Marquez. Who would refuse such handlebars? Two years of struggle with a decadent motorcycle, let's be honest.

 

 

The twist of fate (2023)

 

Last chapter, last season. It's unfortunate, but it fits in one sentence. Injured in the first Grand Prix, he had to wait for Silverstone to find the KTM RC16, this time rebadged as GasGas at Tech3. The highlight of his year is none other than this sixth place in the Sprint in Austria, but it was synonymous with goodbye. Even in good shape, he no longer put one foot in front of the other towards the end. At this level of competition, such an absence is unforgiving, especially when Pedro Acosta is pushing behind. Even if I persist in saying that the prodigy would have been in his place in the factory team, a departure of Pol Espargaró seemed inevitable.

 

Conclusion

 

Here is a detailed analysis of the career of a great pilot who marked the 2010s in his own way, despite his many detractors.. The injuries didn't play in his favor, but beyond that, I think that this lackluster stint at Yamaha Tech3 really prevented him from tasting the heights of the sport. Despite everything, he remains the one who put the Mattighofen firm in the ranks of the others. Clearly, in history, there is KTM before and after him. In addition to the obvious 2013 title, he has built a remarkable track record, with two victories at the Suzuka 8 Hours, as well as a rookie of the year title in 2014.

I'm curious what you think of this pilot. Tell me in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport