After a very difficult 2023 season due to injuries suffered at the Portuguese MotoGP, Pol Espargaró lost his place in GasGas Tech3 to Pedro Acosta – being a test rider next year, while also having several wildcard appearances.
And even facing the possibility of returning to Repsol Honda, he stuck with his initial decision. The Spanish rider explained his reasons to the official MotoGP website: ‘I felt that I had to take this step in my career. Taking a step to the side, not backwards. And trying to help the factory and a rider like Pedro. The future needs to continue to be built in this factory. And in this case, Pedro is the one who is coming to take my place‘.
Espargaró admitted that he owes a debt of gratitude to KTM: ‘I am the rider I am today thanks to them. It was a mutual help we gave each other. But I think I learned a lot there and I have to give back a lot to them. And if I stay here it’s because I really feel and truly believe that this is the best constructor in the World Championship‘.
