Aleix Espargaro for President! Is a MotoGP riders’ union on the cards?

There was plenty to talk about around the Indonesian Grand Prix, even away from the racing action. Alongside the recurring debate on the subject of ‘tyre pressure’, there was intense discussion about the new MotoGP master schedule, which, from 2027, will include an additional qualifying session as well as the abolition of the Sunday warm-up session.

As previously reported on SPEEDWEEK.com, the riders’ primary concern – as is so often the case – was the decision-making process itself, which ultimately always takes place without the riders’ input. The background to this is the contractually regulated collaboration between the sporting organiser (MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group) and the manufacturers and teams. If MotoGP has its way, the riders’ interests must be represented via the teams. To this day, there is no umbrella organisation for all GP riders in the premier class of motorcycling, as there is in Formula 1 (GPDA – Grand Prix Drivers’ Association).

And yet there is a forum that enables riders to approach MotoGP directly. At every MotoGP event, riders are invited to attend the meetings of the official safety commission. According to MotoGP management, this opportunity for a ‘consultation session’ on Thursdays is taken up to varying degrees, but never in an organised manner.

Die MotoGP-Piloten sind nicht als Komitee organisiert

Foto: Gold and Goose

Prompted by the lack of clear communication with the sport’s heroes, the idea of establishing a representative body was also raised. What’s more, Aleix Espargaró’s name was even put forward as a possible first chairman of a MotoGP riders’ association.

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Armed with vast experience, up-to-date knowledge and a mature character, Espargaro would be an ideal candidate for the new role, according to the general consensus in the paddock. Before his retirement from the sprint race at Mandalika, the elder Espargaro brother was confronted with the idea. The current Honda test rider’s response was twofold.

“It would be absolutely interesting for me to be chairman of an association. Such an association would be very important and has long been called for by many riders,” said Espargaro. However, he himself questions whether the GP veteran could fulfil the role, and also pointed to his commitments: “After my injury, I really missed the Honda, both in terms of riding and being involved in the bike’s development process. That’s why I want to carry on riding this year and next and have fun. However, you should never say never when it comes to the future.”

Aleix Espargaro concluded: “For me, my family is the most important thing, and as long as I’m a test rider, that role will already take up a large part of my time, so I couldn’t imagine following the entire championship on site.”