Even in retirement, Aleix Espargaro isn’t one to stay quiet—especially when it comes to matters involving his former team or close friends. The former Aprilia MotoGP rider has now weighed in on the tense standoff between Jorge Martin and Aprilia, wondering why the team is trying to “force” Martin to stay when the rider clearly wants out.
Aleix, who stepped away from full-time racing at the end of 2024, has remained close to the paddock—and even closer to Martin. The two Spaniards not only share the same agent, Albert Valera, but are also neighbors in Andorra. Their off-track friendship adds a personal layer to Aleix’s take on the situation.
Speaking recently at the Dutch GP—where he was also in action as a wildcard for Honda—Espargaro was honest as ever. He admitted he’s baffled by Aprilia’s approach in trying to retain a rider who no longer wants to be part of the team, especially when there’s supposedly a clause in Martin’s contract that allows him to leave.
“If there’s a clause that lets him walk away, and he doesn’t want to stay, I just don’t get why you’d force someone to stick around,” Aleix said, following a tough outing in which he finished last after being passed by Somkiat Chantra late in the race.
While Espargaro’s bond with Martin is strong, his connection with Aprilia runs even deeper. He spent eight years with the Italian factory, played a huge role in shaping their current MotoGP project, and even inked a “Capitano” tattoo on his arm to mark his loyalty to the cause. With three wins under their banner, his legacy at Aprilia is cemented—but that hasn’t stopped him from speaking his mind when he feels something isn’t right.
Currently serving as a test rider for Honda, the very brand eyeing Martin for 2026, Espargaro finds himself in a unique position. And with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta recently warning that Martin could be left off the 2026 MotoGP entry list unless a mutual solution is found, the situation is reaching a boiling point.
Beyond Martin, Aleix also came out in support of their mutual agent Albert Valera, who’s in the spotlight for inserting the contract clause now being debated. Espargaro called him the best manager in the paddock, praising his negotiation skills and experience.
“Albert’s having a really hard time with all of this. I’ve worked with several managers, but no one does contracts like him,” Aleix added.
As the drama between Martin and Aprilia drags on, Espargaro’s comments are just the latest to stir the pot. But given his deep ties with both the rider and the team, his voice might be one of the few that carries both weight—and empathy.
