Returnee Aleix Espargaró on the World Championship battle: “Jorge and Aprilia – amazing”

Thanks to Joan Mir’s mysterious illness and Taka Nakagami’s unfortunate crash injury at the Japanese Grand Prix, Aleix Espargaro will now be racing at Mandalika. The reunion with this paddock veteran was marked by the feeling that ‘it’s been a long time’ – after all, Espargaro was last seen as a MotoGP rider in 2025 at the season finale in Valencia. This was followed by the MotoGP shakedown on the 1000cc Honda for 2026 – and shortly afterwards, also at Sepang, the horrific crash during testing, which resulted in a serious back injury and a rehabilitation process that, in truth, continues to this day.

On his return to the MotoGP paddock, Espargaro said: “I don’t think everyone realised just how tough the year was for me. We’re talking about six very tough months. I still have back pain to this day – I mean, my back was completely wrecked – but I’ll probably have that for the rest of my life. It wasn’t certain that I’d be back here – now I am, and that makes it something very special. Life has given me this chance to return to the best team in the world – HRC. That makes me happy and I’m really motivated as a result.”

But this return is also accompanied by a great deal of respect: “The last time I really rode properly was at the shakedown in Sepang. The break was extremely long, partly because I hadn’t been riding a motorbike. It was only a month ago that I started training in the gym again. There’s a lot of work ahead of me – more than just racing – and I’m also a bit worried, because the lads are riding at an incredible level right now.”

Januar 2026: Aleix Espargaro auf der 1000er-MotoGP-Honda

Foto: Gold and Goose

Espargaro also admitted: “I haven’t ridden the 850 at all so far, but as Taka isn’t ready to race yet, I’m going to have a busy period ahead of me. The next test is scheduled immediately after the Indonesian GP. That’s another reason why I hope my friend Joan Mir can make a quick comeback and finish the season strongly here at Honda.”

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Returnee Espargaro is clearly thrilled by the World Championship action: “The situation is very exciting. Marc has never lost in his career when he’s been in a head-to-head situation. I think it’s amazing what Jorge is achieving, but also Aprilia. To see them now battling for the title against the very best rider of all time is fascinating – and I hope the World Championship battle goes down to the wire.”

And who’s going to win the race? “AE41”, with a broad grin: “You know that Jorge is one of my best friends – and Aprilia has a special place in my heart, so the answer is easy…”