First it was Fabio Quartararo, who had been linked to Aprilia to replace Aleix Espargaro until he announced his renewal with Yamaha. Now Marc Marquez has been included in the list for the official Noale team, but Aleix explained on Thursday, in view of the Spanish Grand Prix, that “it is normal for there to be speculation because, in a certain sense, I left the door open to a possible withdrawal”, before being absolutely categorical: “If I want to continue, I will continue”.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the Spaniard, who took pole in Jerez last year, is confident. “It will be a good weekend, last year the KTMs blew us away at the start and then we had the tire pressure problem, but this year I think it will go much better,” he said.
Obviously, arriving in Europe after his teammate Maverick Viñales' impeccable grand prix in Austin is a great incentive.
“I don't need to be stimulated, I've had many teammates by my side during my career and every year has been like a test. For me it's not important, I do my job. It makes me happy because Maverick deserved this victory and for the people on his side of the garage, who are people who haven't had a good time in recent years. But for me it doesn't change.”
With his contract expiring at the end of the year, Aleix is starting to set a deadline to make the decision. “I think that the next four races, Jerez, Le Mans, Mugello and Barcelona, four mythical and traditional races, will be calm in this sense. I'm in no hurry and Massimo Rivola said that Aprilia would be the last to decide, so there's no “It's a rush. Calm down and let's enjoy the four best races on the calendar. In the end, it's the results that give you the strength to decide.”
At this start of the season there has been speculation about many riders for Aleix's place in Aprilia for 2025, as an auction. “I think it's normal and that it's good for Aprilia that good riders want to come to our team. A few years ago nobody wanted to come. Maybe I let it be understood that it was my last year, but I'm calm. If I want to stay in Aprilia, I will stay, you can rest assured,” he clarified.
However, “hinting” that he might not continue opens the door to a retirement right at his peak as a driver.
“I let it slip because the feeling I have is that I'm not convinced,” he said of whether to continue or withdraw. “You know that I am a person without filters who says what he thinks. I could have stayed silent, but I don't know if I will continue, it is normal that the other riders and Aprilia are moving, because it is an official team and if it stops they will need a top rider.”
“I have the feeling that what I did was fine, I have other worries, the calendar is becoming more and more complicated. The weekends are more stressful, I'm not very clear.”
“I'm in such a happy moment in my life that I don't care about next year, I want to enjoy my family, what I have: one of the best motorbikes in the world, the one I've always dreamed of. I want to enjoy the moment, no, this tranquility , and cycling is absolutely excluded,” he said, closing that door.
“My brother Pol last year, after his injury, was determined to continue racing, I could see that he wasn't well but he wanted to continue. And now I see him so happy that you don't know to what extent the scales tip to one side or on the other. I will take my time and enjoy the day by day”, concluded Aleix.
#MotoGP #Espargaro #stay #Aprilia #stay
