With Aleix Espargaro, the longest-serving MotoGP rider has ended his active career in 2024 – Even without a title, the Spaniard is at peace with himself.
After 13 years in MotoGP, Aleix Espargaró retired from the premier class as an active rider at the 2024 season finale in Barcelona. The Spaniard has been part of MotoGP without interruption since 2012 and is considered a driving force behind Aprilia’s rise to become a competitive factory team.
Espargaro joined the Italian manufacturer’s then-fledgling MotoGP project in 2017, which initially brought many challenges. Twice he finished the season only in 17th place in the World Championship. But by 2021, his hard work and perseverance began to bear fruit.
With some strong performances in the last four seasons, Espargaro is leaving MotoGP with three Grand Prix wins, seven pole positions, 11 podiums and a fourth-place finish in the overall standings as his best result.
In an open review of his career, the 35-year-old explains that he may not have had the same talent as the top riders in the series, but was still able to succeed through hard work and a positive environment.
“There’s a phrase that a lot of people use,” he says when asked how he would like to be remembered, “hard work beats talent – and I believe that’s true.”
“In my career, I always felt that I had less talent than many of my fellow drivers. But I worked hard, used all the resources of my team, created a good environment for myself and made smart decisions. That’s how you can achieve what you want,” explains the Spaniard.
He therefore wants to be remembered as someone “who never gave up,” Espargaró continues. His farewell in Barcelona, at his home track, was marked by emotional highlights. Particularly moving for him, however, was the out lap with the Honda RS125 after the race.
Espargaró made his Grand Prix debut on it in 2005. Riding it one more time marked a symbolic end that closed the circle of his career.
“Doing the last few laps on my first 125cc bike was incredible,” he enthuses. ”It showed me what I was like as a kid. And on Sunday, when I came into the garage, my wife gave me a special helmet.”
“It was just fantastic to say goodbye to all the fans here in Catalonia, with my best friend as world champion and for the last time with Aprilia – that was 10 out of 10. I can truly consider myself lucky. I’m the luckiest person ever.”