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Aleix Espargaro’s decision to retire from MotoGP at the end of 2024 means that, unless something unexpected happens, he will not become MotoGP champion. The fact that this statement can be made without irony, and perhaps even with a touch of regret, demonstrates his success. Imagine telling a rider who had just finished 12th in the intermediate class after falling from MotoGP after only one full season: “You will end your MotoGP career with the second highest number of starts of all time and will be a Grand Prix winner.” He wasn’t even in any class at that time. He was released by Suzuki after being overshadowed by Maverick Vinales in their second year together, which was an easy criticism for others to make. However, Espargaro’s reputation did not align with that statistic. It was only a matter of time before the statistic caught up with his true abilities. He became a difficult teammate to work with, as evidenced by his conflicts with Randy de Puniet, Colin Edwards, Sam Lowes, Scott Redding, and Andrea Iannone. While some of them may have complaints about the circumstances, they are all talented riders. Vinales, who reunited with Espargaro at Aprilia, considered him a tough competitor and is finally starting to consistently outperform him. This recent development may have played a role in Espargaro’s decision to retire. At 34, he is the oldest rider on the grid, but still capable of performing well. A two-year contract with a team like Honda would be justified. However, in terms of what he wanted to achieve in MotoGP, he has likely already accomplished it. The 2022 season was his best opportunity to win the championship, but it was not enough. The current MotoGP landscape has changed, with riders like Jorge Martin, Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Pedro Acosta making significant progress. Even if Aprilia manages to surpass all its competitors, which is unlikely given the current rules, Vinales seems to be in a better position to benefit. Espargaro probably recognizes this and does not want his story to end with a decline. He went from rags to riches and does not want to go back to being poor. This is not to say that MotoGP will not miss him. He is a polarizing figure, both for viewers and his fellow riders. Some may say he is too outspoken, complains too much, or is too explosive, but these criticisms do not define him. His legacy is shaped by his friendly personality, engaging nature, and his ability to never be boring. He could have possessed all these qualities and remained a mediocre Moto2 rider. Instead, he exceeded expectations and helped transform Aprilia from a joke into a respected team and machine. Now, he is choosing to retire while still at the peak of his career. Whether you love him or hate him, he undeniably achieved success.
