RIDER INTERVIEW
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“ I ’ m very happy ,” he said soon after making the decision at the Catalan GP . “ There are many riders in the world in this space today that won a lot more than me but I gave it everything that I had . Sometimes I felt I didn ’ t have the talent of other riders but by working hard I reached quite a highest level . These last two or three seasons , I was dreaming . This was one reason why is topped . I ’ ve already had a lot of fun and I ’ d like to retire at a good time .”
Espargaro debuted in the World Championship at the final round of 2004 in the 125cc class . After one and a half seasons in the junior category , he stepped up to ride 250s for another two and a half seasons , with limited success .
He made his MotoGP debut midway through 2009 before winning the CRT class in 2012 and 2013 . Further achievements included turning the Suzuki into a winning bike from 2015 to 2016 and then Aprilia to a machine capable of numerous victories . He scored his first Grand Prix success in Argentina , 2022 .
But rather than state wins , Espargaro went leftfield with his career highlight . “ The best moment , it ’ s easy to say Argentina ,” he said . “ But ( the Catalan GP when he announced his retirement ) is an amazing moment , a feeling I ’ ve never had before . Relief . I ’ m extremely happy . I ’ ve been a very lucky person . I don ’ t want to choose just one moment . The most difficult was the ’ 18 season when I was very close to retire . In fact , I decided to retire but my wife Laura persuaded me to stay . It was very difficult to find the motivation at home , but thankfully I have great people around me .”
And Espargaro stated the recent retirement of brother Pol was behind his decision . “ 100 % yes ,” he said when asked if that had an influence . “ After Pol ’ s crash was not easy . He had a big one and he changed quite a lot . I see him happier which I didn ’ t expect . When you ’ re not riding you are not happy , not having fun at home . But he changed , and is super happy . He pushed me a bit more to this decision .”
PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia | 57