Aleix Espargaro will work as a test rider for Honda in 2025 after retiring from full-time racing at the end of last year.
The Spaniard has confirmed that he will leave in May 2024 after spending eight years at the factory Aprilia Horseman Espargaro tells his wife that his career is over. After a crash at the scratch race in Jerez.
The 35-year-old Since its launch in 2009, it has had a successful career in the premier class, winning three races and taking 11 podiums. But Espargaro remains MotoGP In some capacity by 2025.
Honda They signed him as a test rider for this season and he will work closely with Stefan Bradl and Takami Nakagami to help develop the manufacturer’s bike.
Stefan Bradl felt that Alex Espargaro’s Honda balance was not ‘just right’ in testing.
Factory Honda rider Joan Mir is excited to work with Espargaro. As his experience could prove valuable in helping the manufacturer recover from a disappointing 2024 campaign. Honda HRC and LCR finished bottom of the standings behind Yamaha with just 75 points between them.
Espargaro got to work with his new team when he tested the Honda bike for the first time at the post-season test in Barcelona in November.
The Japanese manufacturer In 2025, they want to improve their fortunes. But Honda doesn’t like what Espargaro has said about their bike since its debut.
Talking to the Spanish outlet MotosanBradley felt that the balance of the 34-year-old bike was ‘not right’, pointing to several different aspects that “need attention”.
Read more: Lucio Cecchinello gives ‘huge’ approval to Honda for putting Somkiat Chantra on the LCR.
“I’ve seen a lot of riders test the bike and give it their first look: Pol Espargaro, Alex Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Johannes Zarco, Luca Marini and now Alex, basically from Aprilia,” he said.
“His first comment was that everything was working fine, but the balance of the bike was not right. That means there are many small details that we need to improve.
“Obviously, he pointed out something specific that we could fix quickly, like the engine, the traction, or some other specific aspect. But it doesn’t work that way. He did not address one problem to solve, but rather mentioned various aspects that needed attention.
“It’s not the kind of rapid development we’re looking for at the moment; it’s more complex. In short, the bike was good for him, but there’s clearly work to be done.”
Honda will be desperate to improve after a disappointing 2024 season
Espargaro is not the only one who has raised some concerns about the team’s machinery. Johan Zarco previously said Honda had backed down. on their 2025 bike, but fortunately, there is still time to develop it before the season opener in Thailand.
Zarco aims to remain Honda’s number one rider in the championship. The Frenchman was the highest-finishing Honda rider in 2024, but managed just 55 points in the season.
Factory riders Mir and Luca Marini scored just 35 points between them in 2024. Marco Melandri said Mir and Marini ‘are in trouble’ When the duo doubted whether they could expand the team on the order.
Honda is targeting Pedro Acosta. In the future. KTM’s ongoing financial woes could put the Spanish sensation on the rider market.
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