Aleix Espargaro’s decision to retire from MotoGP at the end of 2024 means that, unless something unexpected happens, he will not become a MotoGP champion. The fact that this statement can be made without irony, and perhaps even with a hint of regret, demonstrates his success. Imagine telling a rider who just finished 12th in the intermediate class after dropping down from MotoGP after only one full season: “You will end your MotoGP career with the second-most starts of all time, and you will be a winner in the grand prix.” He hadn’t even been in any class at that point. He was dropped by Suzuki after being outperformed by Maverick Vinales in their second year together, which was an easy criticism for others to make. However, Espargaro’s reputation didn’t align with this statistic. It was only a matter of time before the statistic caught up with his true abilities. He had become a difficult teammate to work with, as evidenced by his clashes with Randy de Puniet, Colin Edwards, Sam Lowes, Scott Redding, and Andrea Iannone. While some of them may have complaints about the circumstances, they are all talented riders. Vinales, who has reunited with Espargaro at Aprilia, has found him to be a tough competitor, and is finally starting to consistently outperform him. This recent development may have played a role in Espargaro’s decision to retire. At 34 years old, he is the oldest rider on the grid, but he is still capable of performing well. Another two-year contract with a team, such as Honda, would be justified. However, in terms of what he wanted to achieve in MotoGP, he has likely already accomplished it. The 2022 season was his best opportunity to win the championship, but it wasn’t quite enough. The current MotoGP landscape has changed, with riders like Jorge Martin, Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Pedro Acosta making significant strides. Even if Aprilia manages to surpass all of their competitors, which is unlikely given the current rules, Vinales appears to be in a better position to benefit. Espargaro probably recognizes this and doesn’t want his story to end with a decline. He has gone from rags to riches and doesn’t want to go back to rags. This is not to say that MotoGP won’t miss him. He is a polarizing figure, both to spectators and his fellow racers. Some may say he is too outspoken, complains too much, or is too hot-headed, but these criticisms don’t define him. His legacy is shaped by his likable personality, his engaging nature, and his ability to never be boring. He could have possessed all of these qualities and remained a mediocre Moto2 rider. Instead, he exceeded expectations and helped transform Aprilia from a joke to a respected team and machine. Now, he is choosing to retire while still at the peak of his career. Whether you love him or hate him, he has undoubtedly achieved success.
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