MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro Announces Retirement at End of 2024 Season
After over 13 years in the premier class, Aleix Espargaro has elected to conclude his MotoGP career at the end of the 2024 season. He made this decision public at his home race in Barcelona, marking a significant moment in his racing journey.
By Divyam Dubey
Aleix Espargaro has announced he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the year. Espargaro made his decision ahead of this weekend's Catalunya MotoGP, surrounded by former colleagues, fellow riders, and his brother Pol. Currently the oldest rider on the grid, the 34-year-old from Aprilia has been dropping hints about retirement for weeks. During his eight seasons with Aprilia Racing, Espargaro was a part of some of the team's biggest moments. With three Grand Prix wins (Argentina 2022, Silverstone, and Barcelona 2023), one sprint race win (Barcelona 2023), three pole positions, and ten podium finishes to his name, he has been an impressive figure in MotoGp. The present contract that Espargaro has with Aprilia is set to expire this year. When he signed the contract two years ago, he dropped hints that this would be his final season in MotoGP. Espargaro has been a full-time MotoGP rider for thirteen seasons, with his debut coming in 2009.
MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro's Career
The present contract that Espargaro has with Aprilia is set to expire this year. When he signed the contract two years ago, he dropped hints that this would be his final season in MotoGP.
In his 2009 MotoGP debut, Espargaro impressed by earning points in his very first race, finishing thirteenth, after coming on as a substitute rider for Pramac Ducati at the Indianapolis GP. All four of his appearances in 2009 resulted in points, demonstrating his consistent excellence. The result was a full-time deal with Pramac for the upcoming 2010 season.
After making the jump to Moto2 in 2011, Espargaro had a breakout year, finishing on the podium at his maiden Grand Prix in Barcelona. On the other hand, he made a triumphant return to MotoGP in 2012, this time behind the Aspar team's Aprilia-powered CRT bike. He was the best CRT rider at the end of the season.
Also Read: Massimo Rivola Interview: We Proved that Aprilia can Beat Ducati in MotoGP
Espargaro was instrumental in the GSX-RR's development after joining the factory Suzuki team in 2015, riding with Maverick Vinales. He had a hard time winning races despite his efforts. After that, in 2017, he became a part of Aprilia's factory project, where he persisted in testing the boundaries of a motorcycle that many thought didn't belong in MotoGP. However, he persisted and made history in 2021 by leading Aprilia to their first MotoGP podium and in 2022 by winning in Argentina. Besides proving his racing mettle throughout his career, Espargaro has been a vocal supporter of measures to make racing safer for everyone.
-1763543495144.webp "MotoGP: Aprilia Tops Valencia Test as Yamaha shifts to V4 Engine for 2026 Season")
