After testing in Valencia, Aleix Espargaró returns to MotoGP for the Spanish GP

He was, until the end of last year, the oldest rider on the grid. Aleix Espargaró ended his career as a regular rider after a final season with Aprilia, which he finished in eleventh place in the championship. Winner of the sprint race at the Catalan GP, ​​the Granollers native decided he had had enough of the intense pace of the MotoGP after thirteen seasons in the premier category of motorcycle speed.

Determined to enjoy his family, Aleix Espargaró has taken a step back while remaining close to the paddock, becoming a test rider for Honda. With HRC, the 35-year-old driver faces a daunting challenge: helping a former grid behemoth regain its former glory. This involves numerous days of driving, either during pre-season testing or during private tests granted to Japanese brands as part of the concessions intended to allow them to close the gap with European manufacturers.

 

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Espargaró returns to the track in Spain

Following the Qatar Grand Prix, Honda and Yamaha met for two days of testing in Valencia on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April, during which Aleix Espargaró shared the RC213V with Stefan Bradl, the other HRC test rider. At Yamaha, Augusto Fernandez rode with Cal Crutchlow.

For Aleix Espargaró, this first run since pre-season testing heralds a second, on the Monday following the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez (April 25–27). The three-time Grand Prix winner will also be on track for the fifth race of the season, as he will benefit from a wild card offered by Honda to try to shine on home soil.

In Spain, the former Aprilia, Suzuki and Yamaha rider has never done better than 5th place and will have the opportunity to shine with a bike that is gradually regaining its form, as evidenced by Johann Zarco's 4th place in Qatar.

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Back racing!

After a busy winter working away with the Honda HRC Test Team, @AleixEspargaro will make his racing debut on the Honda RC213V at the #SpanishGP 🇪🇸

A valuable boost as we keep working on developments and improvements to return to the front. pic.twitter.com/6tWceLM1ox

— Honda HRC Castrol – MotoGP (@HRC_MotoGP) April 18, 2025