Aleix Espargaró’s place in MotoGP is not yet secure for next year and it is not certain that it will continue, which makes a place in a factory team even more attractive and conducive to rumours, with the latest pointing to the possibility that Marc Márquez join the Noale producer. #41 sees this as a compliment to the way the team has worked, while at the same time showing doubt and certainty about a decision on its continuity.
In Jerez and in the preview of the new round of the world championship, at the Spanish GP, there was again talk of the possibility that many riders are interested in a place in a factory team that is not yet ‘closed’: that of Aleix Espargaro. Faced with this interest, and after Fabio Quartararo had also been linked to the factory team before renewing with Yamaha, the Catalan sees this interest as a good sign, while underlining whether or not he wants to stay:
– It’s normal. It’s positive and means that we did a good job at Aprilia, because four years ago nobody wanted my bike. Maybe it’s also because I mentioned that it might be my last year, but I’m calm; if I want to stay in Aprilia, I will. Don’t worry, absolutely.
And then he spoke about its continuity, clarifying once again that nothing has yet been decided: ‘The feeling I have is that I’m not convinced, that’s why I made it clear. You know I’m a person without filters, I say what I think. I could have remained silent, but I said what I think: I don’t know if I will continue. It is normal that not only the other riders but also Aprilia are making moves. They can’t wait until October because it’s an official bike, one of the best bikes in the championship and if I’m not there a high-level rider has to leave.’
Furthermore, he said, he has never been happier in his life than he is now: ‘I have the feeling that what I did is okay and I have other concerns. The program is becoming more and more complicated. Weekends become more and more stressful and I don’t have everything very clear. I can’t explain it well, but right now I’m so happy with everything in my life that I don’t care about next year, I don’t give a damn.’
He concluded, leaving the question to be decided at another time: ‘I want to enjoy my family, what I have achieved, what I have. I have one of the best bikes in the world, the bike I’ve always dreamed of. I want to enjoy the weekends and the present, because if we don’t get into a phase where everything goes too fast and now I’m in a phase where I’m calm.’
