With the MotoGP season now at its end, and the dust settled. Pol Espargaro begins his transition to his new life as a test rider for GASGAS and will not return for the 2024 season as a rider for the factory team. Espargaro had a year of ups and downs starting with what many thought would be a seasoning ending injury in Portimao where he suffers from a broken jaw and lung and back injuries. Despite all odds he made a full recovery and returned to the grid for the British Grand Prix.
Espargaro will move to a test rider position with GASGAS for the 2024 season after losing his seat to the 2023 Moto2 champion Pedro Acosta. Despite the setback Espargaro seemed to be in good spirits after the final race of the season in Valencia.
Espargaro Stated the Following After the Valencia GP
Every time I raised my head and I was looking at all the people in the stands, the noise, the tension, all my teammates around, all the guys that I have raced with since I was a little guy. It’s been amazing. I just feel so, so lucky to have been with you know living my life, my story, trying to chase my dreams through the last 10 years so I’m a very lucky guy.
A day to remember because, OK I have raced my last race as a permanent guy in MotoGP but obviously because I had those people surrounding me. This is with the people I live every day with, every hour, not just in racing but at home. It’s the people that make me happy so at the end of the day I need them from now till the end of my days so it was just amazing to be with them.”
The riggers of the MotoGP season takes is toll on riders. Espargaro comments on the need for time to rest after a long grueling season. “I need to take some rest. I need to recover myself a little bit. It’s been a while since I don’t feel as competitive as I should feel, but also with the confidence that I need to perform to be beside these guys. These guys are talented, young and extremely fit. If you don’t have all of these things, then you are too far away so you enjoy it.”
Where he will end up after 2024 is yet to be determined but if this is goodbye from riding in MotoGP he can hang his head high with his career accomplishments. In this sport its all about how you bounce back.