Aleix Espargaró: “I don’t look to the past, today’s MotoGP is incredible”

Aprilia has revealed its 2022 bike and heads into the new season with an awareness of just how hard it has worked over the winter to try and close the gap to the other manufacturers. The Noale bike has already demonstrated its growth during the Sepang tests, appearing fast and competitive in the hands of both Espargaró and Viñales. This will be Aleix’s sixth season aboard the Italian bike and his goals are understandably ambitious, also considering his first podium last season and the improvements seen towards the end of the year.

Aleix Espargaró is ready for the season: "I feel good both physically and mentally”

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Now in his sixth season with Aprilia, the Spaniard is more motivated than ever as he prepares for a year in which he could well play a leading role: "I can’t wait to be back with the team, I’ve been at Aprilia for six years already and the guys not just my mechanics, but my second family. I’m not 20 anymore but I’m as pumped up and hungry as an 18-year old. I’m in good shape both physically and mentally and I can’t wait to start the championship".

After presenting the bike, Espargaró revealed his favourite tracks: "The home rounds are always the most emotional, both in Spain for me and in Italy for Aprilia. I also really like the Malaysian event, but we couldn’t go last year due to Covid. Hopefully we’ll be back there this season because I really love the place". His team-mate will be Maverick Viñales, a rider with whom he has a great relationship: "I don’t need to give Maverick any advice, he’s a very fast rider and despite his young age, he’s already very experienced. The only thing I would say is that he needs to believe in the Aprilia project, it’s important we all move in the same direction”.

Lastly, Aleix considers the modern MotoGP bikes, which are increasingly technological: “I don’t miss the bikes of the past, of course the two-strokes were amazing, but that was then. Today’s MotoGP bikes are incredible in terms of how technological they are and it’s great to part of all that."

Translated by Heather Watson

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