The Aprilia rider, Aleix Espargaro, officially announced his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the 2024 season. The 34-year-old rider made the announcement during a special press conference on Thursday, ahead of the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
“At the end of this season, I will retire from MotoGP as a full-time rider,” he stated. “It has been a pleasant journey and I have enjoyed it a lot, so I would like to express my gratitude to everyone. I am extremely satisfied, and although there are riders who have achieved more success than me, I have worked diligently to reach a high level.”
Espargaro reflected on his two decades in the paddock, expressing his pride and happiness for what he and Aprilia have accomplished together. He also mentioned that one of the reasons for his retirement was to spend more time with his family and enjoy a different aspect of life.
Regarding the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, Espargaro expressed his excitement for the race, stating that he likes the track and feels confident in his abilities. He emphasized that there are still many races in the season to show his competitiveness.
Maverick Viñales, Espargaro’s teammate, praised the veteran rider and highlighted the positive experiences they have shared since joining forces in 2021. Viñales expressed his gratitude for the memories they have created and expressed optimism for the future of Aprilia.
Highlights of Espargaro’s career include winning the FIM CEV International Spanish Championship in the 125cc class in 2004. He had stints with various teams before joining Aprilia in 2017, where he remained loyal despite the challenges. In 2021, he secured a podium finish at Silverstone, marking Aprilia’s first podium in MotoGP and the second in his MotoGP career.
In 2022, Espargaro secured his first victory at the Argentina GP, which also marked Aprilia’s first win in the MotoGP era. He finished fourth in the championship that year and stood on the podium five more times. His success continued in 2023, with a win at Silverstone and a victory in front of his home crowd at Catalunya.
Aprilia team boss Massimo Rivola expressed his gratitude to Espargaro for his contributions to the team’s success. He credited Espargaro for achieving significant milestones such as the first podium, pole position, victory in Barcelona, and a one-two finish with Viñales. Rivola acknowledged Espargaro’s spirit and character, stating that he will always be considered an Aprilia rider.
While Espargaro’s replacement at Aprilia for the 2025 season remains unknown, rumors suggest that Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini, and Marco Bezzecchi are being considered to join Viñales. Rivola assured that the team will secure a bright future and credited Espargaro for helping the team establish itself as one of the top contenders.
