Aleix Espargaro doesn’t perceive why Aprilia would “pressure” Jorge Martin to remain

Regardless of retiring on the finish of final season, Aleix Espargaro continues to make headlines and the elder Espargaro brother is again within the highlight as soon as once more after questioning why Aprilia is making an attempt to “pressure” Jorge Martin to remain on the staff towards his will.

The Spaniard shares the identical agent as Martin, Albert Valera, and enjoys an in depth friendship with the reigning champion. The 2 are additionally neighbours in Andorra, the place they’re usually seen collectively off the observe.

Espargaro, who raced for Aprilia in MotoGP from 2017 till 2024, tends to be much more outspoken than most of his friends. The result’s that Espargaro’s voice usually carries extra weight within the open battle between Martin and Aprilia, which the 2024 MotoGP champion is seeking to half methods with on the finish of the season.

Past his private bond with the #1 rider, Espargaro performed a vital function in Aprilia’s growth, spending eight seasons with the staff and securing his three MotoGP victories with it. His dedication ran so deep that he even acquired a tattoo on his proper forearm that reads “Capitano,” symbolising his significance to the venture.

Aleix Espargaro, Honda Racing, Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing

Picture by: Gold and Goose Images / LAT Photos / through Getty Photos

After hanging up his helmet as a full-time rider on the finish of final yr, Espargaro now serves as a check rider for Honda. The Japanese model he now rides for is the very producer fascinated by signing Martin ought to he handle to resolve the dispute with Aprilia.

With the Martin-Aprilia disaster in full swing, Espargaro was requested for his tackle the positions of all events concerned. Notably, his feedback got here shortly after Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP championship promoter Dorna, stepped in to warn Martin that he received’t be registered for the upcoming season until a consensual resolution is reached – both by way of an settlement or by authorized means.

“It’s a really unhappy and hard state of affairs for each side, and I can perceive them each,” Espargaro mentioned within the Netherlands, the place he completed final after being overtaken by Somkiat Chantra within the closing phases of the race. 

“But when there’s a clause permitting Martin to depart a staff, and he doesn’t wish to be there, I don’t perceive why the opposite aspect would pressure somebody to remain the place they don’t wish to be.”

Past Martin, who’s within the last stage of his restoration from harm, the determine maybe taking the most important hit all through this ordeal is his agent Valera. It was he who launched the clause within the contract between Martin and Aprilia, which he now hopes will enable his consumer to be launched from his obligations to the Italian producer for subsequent yr.  

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“It’s a really tough time for Albert, who, in my view, is the most effective supervisor within the paddock. I’ve labored with different brokers, and when he drafts a contract, nobody does it like him,” Espargaro harassed.

Espargaro’s feedback are simply the most recent instalment within the dispute between Martin and Aprilia, which has rumbled on since Might. After the story was first damaged by Motorsport.com, the saga is now getting into a brand new part because the battle continues to escalate.