Aleix Espargaro has fired back at Enea Bastianini’s criticism of his tactics during Sunday’s MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix, defending his actions after the Aprilia rider helped protect Jorge Martin’s title bid.
Espargaro, who was racing in what would be his final MotoGP event before retirement, qualified second on the grid for the race in Barcelona. He managed to keep himself between the eventual champion Martin and the Ducati riders chasing from behind, playing a key role in defending Martin’s lead.
In the early laps of the race, Espargaro and Bastianini battled fiercely for fourth place, with Espargaro ultimately coming out on top. However, Bastianini struggled as the race progressed, eventually fading to seventh while Espargaro dropped to fifth.
After the race, Bastianini voiced his displeasure with Espargaro’s tactics, accusing him of not riding at his full potential to assist Martin’s championship cause. Bastianini suggested that Espargaro’s performance was less than impressive and didn’t reflect his true ability.
Espargaro hit back at the criticism, saying: “They told me that Enea said that it’s not beautiful to end a career like this, not fighting for a podium. But the only thing I responded with was that it’s not fair to say this.
“In the last lap, I was waiting for him to fight, but he was three seconds behind me with a factory Ducati. So, I don’t know what he was referring to. Alex Marquez did an amazing race and beat me, but Enea couldn’t. I did the maximum possible. If he thinks that I tried to be slow, it’s impossible. I was riding over the limit.”
Espargaro emphasized that he was pushing the limits of his bike in an effort to protect Martin’s title aspirations, and that his decision to place himself between the Ducati riders was a strategic move to assist his teammate.
A Farewell to Remember
Espargaro’s farewell to full-time MotoGP racing was an emotional one, with the rider reflecting on what was an “impossible” weekend for him. The 42-year-old was pleased with how his final race played out, despite not making the podium. He described his final race as a “10 out of 10” experience, marked by significant personal moments and helping Martin clinch the championship.
“After 20 seasons, to say goodbye at my circuit, on my home soil, with my family, with many surprises, with the love of Aprilia, being super competitive—it was impossible to have dreamed of a better weekend,” Espargaro said.
“I fought against the Ducatis by myself for the podium. Jorge won the title, and I helped him a little bit. I feel really, really lucky. It’s been an amazing career.”
Helping Martin and Pushing to the Limit
Espargaro admitted that at one point during the race, he believed he had the pace to fight for the victory, but tire issues and the strength of the Ducati riders made that impossible. Despite pushing his bike to the absolute limit, the softer tire choices of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez ultimately proved more effective, while Espargaro struggled with a loss of traction during the final laps.
“In the first part of the race, I thought I had the pace to fight for the victory. It was a little bit of a shock for me because I knew the guys in front were on the soft tires. I was riding to the limit of the bike, more than ever in my life, braking super, super late,” he explained.
“I tried to be a little bit conservative, thinking I had an advantage at the end of the race. But in the last 10 laps, it was a nightmare. I had no traction, even though I had the harder compound than them.”
Espargaro’s efforts to protect Martin were evident throughout the race, as he strategically placed himself between the Ducati riders and the championship leader. Though a podium finish eluded him, Espargaro’s role in Martin’s title triumph was a fitting end to his career as a full-time MotoGP rider.
Looking Ahead: Espargaro will now move on to the next chapter of his life, stepping away from full-time MotoGP racing with a remarkable career behind him. His final race weekend, marked by personal milestones and a shared victory with Martin, provided the perfect sendoff to a celebrated career in MotoGP.
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