Aleix Espargaro was the youngest ever rider to win the 125cc Spanish National Championship when he claimed the title in 2004, before moving onto the world stage the year after. After taking his first World Championship podium in Moto2™ in 2011, 2012 saw Espargaro graduate to MotoGP™ and claim the title of Champion in the CRT category – before repeating the feat in 2013. Top “Open” rider the year after, and on the podium at MotorLand Aragon, Espargaro then joined the factory Suzuki team in 2015, hauling more points and a pole position at the Catalan GP. In 2017, Espargaro moved to Aprilia Racing Team Gresini and took some top results for the Noale factory, including a best of sixth in both Qatar and Aragon. Progressively cutting the gap to the front, Espargaro remained with Aprilia in 2018 but it was off to a tough start before they made some big progress in the latter half of the year. Remaining with the team in 2019, Espargaro earned a best result of P7 on an unfavoured RS-GP, a result he couldn’t quite match during 2020, as despite being a consistent Top 10 challenger, he finished 17th overall in the Championship. He continued for a fifth season with Aprilia in 2021 and his hard work was rewarded with a much-improved RS-GP. He later became the Noale squad's history-maker by taking their debut MotoGP™ podium in Silverstone. 2022 would turn into a year he'll never forget, as Espargaro fought for the World Championship for the first time in his career. A career-first Grand Prix victory in Argentina kickstarted a season that included five further podium visits. A disappointing final five rounds saw the Spaniard slip out of title contention and the Championship top three, and in 2023, another title push never materialised. Still, two more wins came at Silverstone and on home turf in Barcelona. The 2024 season marked Espargaro’s farewell as a full-time rider. He announced his retirement ahead of the Catalan GP, where he secured pole position—just as he had in Silverstone. At his home circuit, he finished 4th, his best result of the season, and later wrapped up the year with a Top 5 at the season finale: the Solidarity GP, won by his friend and newly crowned champion, Jorge Martin. Shortly after, Aleix embarked on a new chapter with the Honda HRC Test Team, bringing his invaluable experience to the development of the RC213V. In 2025, he is a wildcard entry at the Spanish GP in Jerez.
Rider Stats
Videos
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"I feel a big responsibilty" - A. Espargaro gunning to do HRC proud
Set to ride a different RC213V from factory duo Mir and Marini, #41 admitted to nerves as he debuts HRC’s iconic colours at a Grand Prix for the first time
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"We have a mission" - Honda enjoy productive Shakedown
Aleix Espargaro and Taka Nakagami both managed some crucial track time with the RC213V in Sepang, with both testing riders pleased with their efforts
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What's next for MotoGP™'s departing trio?
New adventures await for Aleix Espargaro, Taka Nakagami and Augusto Fernandez in 2025 as they bid farewell to the full time grid
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A. Espargaro expects emotions to run high in final GP before retirement
Aprilia’s veteran previews his farewell GP, the Championship battle, and the dream of a perfect send off at his home circuit
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Benvenuti a Noale!
Aleix Espargaro takes us on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Aprilia’s iconic factory, the birthplace of their MotoGP™ machines.
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Aprilia's bold shift: "You have to take riskes if you want to succeed"
Fabiano Sterlacchini will become Aprilia's Technical Director for 2025, and both current and future riders share their thoughts on this major change
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Four riders crash out on the opening lap in Mandalika!
Lady luck deserted Aleix Esparagro, Alex Marquez and Luca Marini as they all caught up in Jack Miller's unfortunate crash at Turn 3
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A. Espargaro springs Sprint surprise: "One of the best Saturdays of my career"
Having struggled on Friday, the Aprilia ace turned his luck around in QP before profiting from Marc Marquez' misfortune for P3
Rider Bio
Bike
Honda
Date of birth
30/07/1989
Place of birth
Granollers
Height
180 cm
Weight
66 kg
Rider Story
News
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Aleix Espargaro set for Spanish Grand Prix wildcard
The HRC Test Rider will return to racing action at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto
By Honda Racing Corporation -
Aleix Espargaro withdraws from German GP
The Aprilia rider attempted to participate, but couldn’t fight through the pain barrier
By motogp.com -
HRC sign Aleix Espargaro as Test Rider
The current Aprilia Racing star will join HRC at the end of the season as a new chapter awaits the #41 when he retires from full-time Grand Prix racing
By Honda Racing Corporation -
Espargaro to miss the remainder of Dutch GP
The Aprilia rider will miss the race in the Netherlands after a hard fall in the Tissot Sprint on Saturday
By motogp.com -
A passionate warrior who could not give up
Nick Harris remembers the storied career of the soon to be retired Aleix Espargaro
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The final lap: Aleix Espargaro's 20 year legacy
After a career full of MotoGP™ milestones, Espargaro now prepares to retire at the end of 2024
By motogp.com -
#GrazieCapitano: Aleix Espargaro announces retirement in Barcelona
The #41 has announced he will hang up his leathers at the end of the season to bring an end to a career that spans nearly two decades
By motogp.com -
"One of sport's finest underdogs" - Social media on A. Espargaro's retirement
The sporting world were quick to praise the Aprilia rider as he has opted to call it a day at the end of the 2024 season
Videos
-
"I feel a big responsibilty" - A. Espargaro gunning to do HRC proud
Set to ride a different RC213V from factory duo Mir and Marini, #41 admitted to nerves as he debuts HRC’s iconic colours at a Grand Prix for the first time
-
"We have a mission" - Honda enjoy productive Shakedown
Aleix Espargaro and Taka Nakagami both managed some crucial track time with the RC213V in Sepang, with both testing riders pleased with their efforts
-
What's next for MotoGP™'s departing trio?
New adventures await for Aleix Espargaro, Taka Nakagami and Augusto Fernandez in 2025 as they bid farewell to the full time grid
-
A. Espargaro expects emotions to run high in final GP before retirement
Aprilia’s veteran previews his farewell GP, the Championship battle, and the dream of a perfect send off at his home circuit
-
Benvenuti a Noale!
Aleix Espargaro takes us on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Aprilia’s iconic factory, the birthplace of their MotoGP™ machines.
-
Aprilia's bold shift: "You have to take riskes if you want to succeed"
Fabiano Sterlacchini will become Aprilia's Technical Director for 2025, and both current and future riders share their thoughts on this major change
-
Four riders crash out on the opening lap in Mandalika!
Lady luck deserted Aleix Esparagro, Alex Marquez and Luca Marini as they all caught up in Jack Miller's unfortunate crash at Turn 3
-
A. Espargaro springs Sprint surprise: "One of the best Saturdays of my career"
Having struggled on Friday, the Aprilia ace turned his luck around in QP before profiting from Marc Marquez' misfortune for P3