He had to wait longer than he would have liked, but in the end Aleix Espargaro managed to tie his future for another two years to Aprilia, who today at Mugello announced both the confirmation of the Granollers rider and that of his teammate Maverick Vinales until the end of the 2024 season.
The continuation of the relationship was almost taken for granted by everyone, given that after 7 of the 20 GPs scheduled this season, the Spaniard has already taken a victory and three other podium finishes, in addition he is second in the World Championship at Mugello, with only 4 points behind the leader Fabio Quartararo.
The one who had the most doubts was the person concerned, who admitted that after the third place in Le Mans he feared that the roads would separate with the Noale manufacturer: “After the last race, I had the feeling that it was easier to stay at home than to continue in Aprilia. In the end, however, they made a great effort and I thank them. The goal is to repay them with the results “, said Aleix immediately after the conference of the announcement.
What makes him particularly proud today is the length of his bond with the Venetian brand: “I am very happy and above all very proud to be able to continue with Aprilia, which has always been my first option. We will reach eight years together, like Lorenzo in Yamaha, and it was one of the longest bonds between a rider and a manufacturer. It is truly a huge pride that Aprilia has trusted me for another two years. “
“My morale hasn’t changed anyway, I’m still happy as two weeks ago, because the results we’re getting this year are extraordinary and I’m enjoying it very much,” he added.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Marc Fleury
After Le Mans, the video published by Aprilia during the event at the Fernando Alonso karting track was very intriguing, in which CEO Massimo Rivola offered him a contract that Aleix refused and then the Formula 1 driver signed it. likeable, but at the time the most experienced of the Espargaro brothers did not like him too much.
“Honestly, when it was organized it didn’t make me laugh too much, but then I saw it as an approach on their part and actually the definitive offer came two days after the event in Oviedo. Then I understood that the ‘they did it because they already had very clear ideas, but at that moment it didn’t make me very happy “.
Now that the future has been decided, we need to talk about a present called Mugello. A track on which he arrives with great expectations. But it could not be otherwise given the ranking position.
“When we arrived at Mugello we always spoke only of Ducati, now instead we speak more of the dualism between Aprilia and Ducati and this is positive for us, because it means that we play with them. It comes at a good time, because we are second. in the World Championship: now there is Mugello, at Aprilia’s home, then we go to Barcelona, at my home. They are two very important weeks “.
The “Captain” is very proud of the growth he and the RS-GP have made together since they embraced in 2017: “Aprilia has grown a lot and it’s something that makes me very happy. There are several top riders who they ring at our door, then there is also talk of a possible satellite team. Now then it is certain that both Maverick and I will continue: it is really a good time for Aprilia and for the Piaggio Group. “
To the point that he no longer wants to hear about Aprilia surprise: “Last year we were a bit. Now they can no longer call us that, because we are already a confirmation: we arrive at Mugello as the best Italian bike, first in the team rankings. I’m really proud of all of this. “
Among other things, some interesting updates for the home race should also arrive from the Noale racing department, even if Aleix did not give too many tips: “I hope so, you will see him tomorrow morning in FP1. I will certainly not be the first to use them. I think the test team will try them first with Savadori and maybe we will try them in the afternoon, but let’s see. “
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