On Thursday 25 May 2024, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing MotoGP Team) held a Special Press Conference in the Press Room of the Catalunya Circuit – Spain. In his explanation, Aleix Espargaro stated that he would RETIRE from the position of regular full-time racer in the MotoGP class at the end of 2024.
Aleix Espargaró chose his home race, in Barcelona, to announce his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the season. He chose this track because he grew up at Granollers, a few kilometers from the paddock, and because it was here last year that he wrote one of the best pages in the history of Aprilia Racing by scoring two leading podiums with Maverick.
” I am pleased to be able to announce my retirement as a full-time driver. It’s been a wonderful 20 years in this paddock and I’m very happy and proud of what we’ve done with Aprilia. We made history and it will never be forgotten. I had a great time and we created a wonderful group of humans. We have a very exciting weekend ahead of us, on a track that I like and that I ride fast on, and there is still a lot of racing until Valencia which is competitive. “
Aleix Espargaro Villa is a Spanish MotoGP racer. Born in Granollers, 30 July 1989 or at the end of July 2024 he will be 35 years old. He was the 2004 FIM CEV 125cc Champion (now called FIM JuniorGP) Spain. He started being a Grand Prix racer in 2005 with the Honda Seedorf Racing GP125.
During his career at GP125 and GP250 he never felt on the podium at all. From GP250 he moved up to MotoGP with Pramac Racing in 2009/2010, although in 2011 he dropped back to the Moto2 class. Aleix obtained his first Grand Prix podium when racing with Pons Kalex Moto2 at the Catalunya GP in 2011.
2012 He returned to the MotoGP class and won his first podium in the Premier Class in 2014 with Forward Racing when he was able to finish in second place on the podium at the Aragon MotoGP which was won by Jorge Lorenzo and Aleix ended the season in 7th position.
Aleix Espargaro’s first Grand Prix victory only arrived in 2022 or his 23rd Grand Prix Season with Aprilia Racing when he won the Argentina MotoGP Class Race title at Termas De Rio Hondo. Meanwhile, until the 2024 Catalunya MotoGP event, Aleix Espargaro has won three Grand Prix races, of which he added two more in the 2023 season.
Aleix’s career is closely linked to Aprilia Racing, he has raced with the Italian team for eight seasons, marking the best moments in recent history, with three grand prix wins (Argentina 2022, Silverstone and Barcelona 2023), a victory at Aprilia Racing. sprint (Barcelona 2023), in addition to 3 poles and 10 podiums. But the story doesn’t stop here, there is still a long season ahead, starting from Barcelona where Aleix and Aprilia Racing will always be the protagonists.
In his response, Aprilia Racing director Massino Rivola said: “Thank you, Aleix, because with you we have built an extraordinary story. Thank you for not giving up in difficult times and for being a good example for us all. You earn the captain’s armband on the field through achievements. You gave us our first podium, first pole position, first win here in Barcelona and first double with Maverick.
Your spirit, with its ups and downs, with your character, reflects the energy of this team and all of Noale. I don’t know what you will do in the future, but you will always be an Aprilia rider. Starting today a new chapter opens for the racer market and Aprilia Racing will certainly not remain silent. With our style, we will guarantee a bright future for this team, which you have helped to make a true top team.”
In the end, one Factory seat that has a lot of potential is empty for next year. It’s worth waiting to see whether this special seat will be closed before Ducati’s announcement or whether we still need to wait for Gigi Dall’Igna’s decision regarding the Pecco Bagnaia tandem later.
