Aleix Espargaró announced this afternoon at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya that he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the season. The Aprilia rider had his reasons, which are not necessarily related to the sporting aspect.
In a press conference, the Spaniard began by saying: ‘It has been a nice journey, I enjoyed it a lot. So, thank you everybody’.
Regarding the reasons behind his decision to end his career, Espargaró explained: ‘You know I have always made many mistakes in my life by deciding everything with my heart and not with my head, but that’s how I am. My head tells me I can continue, that I am still fast, with colleagues who are the best in history, and I feel competitive and physically well. But my heart asks me to stay more time at home, to grow my children and be with my wife. And that’s why I decided to take this step to the side, to enjoy life from a more peaceful perspective’.
At the time of the announcement, the rider did not forget the importance of Aprilia… and Dorna, in addition to his family: ‘I would especially like to thank Aprilia because these last three years have been a dream for me: since I arrived here with Romano [Albesiano], then with Massimo [Rivola], with Paolo [Bonoro], I think we made history. I will be eternally grateful for what they gave me and what I think I gave them. Thanks to Carmelo and Carlos [Ezpeleta], because I grew up here, this was my life, my school, my playground, everything. My children too. Thanks to my family, it all starts with them, to my brother [Pol Espargaró], who has always been [tears and many applauses] my reference. And to my entire personal team: Albert Valera, without him my sports career wouldn’t have been the same; he is now a pillar of my life. To my wife, Laura, she is the best I have. And to all the riders and colleagues in the paddock, thank you. I tried to do my best and I am very happy [many applauses]’.
Showing gratitude and love in an immensely important moment for @aleixespargaro 🫶
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) May 23, 2024
El Capitan got very emotional thanking his family 🥹#GrazieCapitano pic.twitter.com/vLoYt82LcJ