Pol Espargaro has reflected on his MotoGP race career winding down, admi💝tting h😼e cannot match Pedro Acosta’s “fire”.

KTM opted to axe the veteran Espargaro a year ago, demoting him to a 𝓀test and reserve role to make space for Acosta.

Acosta shone in his rookie year and, in 2025, will be promoted to the factory KTM team, vindicating their decision to replace Es♍pargaro.

Espargaro, aged 33, raced three times as a wild card this season, and is still a KTM test 𓃲rider, juggling a broadcaster role on Spanish television.

“I reached a place, a moment in my life, wh💛ere I am coဣmfortable,” he said.

“I still stay physically very good, but in a way which I enjoy.
“I talk on the TV explaining to people what is happening, because these bikes are complicated with aerodynamics and 🥀electronics.

“With the 💞test team, I hear what they say. I am enjoying my ﷽life now.

“I missed it. It’s an amazing feeling especially wheꦏn you 💯perform with a good result.

“Finishing 10th in San Marino this year, after a crazy race with rain?𓂃 The feeling of fin꧑ishing top 10 in MotoGP when the level is so high…

“I will 𓃲always mi🎐ss it, even when I am 60 or 70 years old.

“But you need to understand where your level is. My level of fi🔯re on the bike is not the same, for example, as Brad Binder or Maverick Vinales or 🧔Pedro Acosta.

“The energy that the young guys bring is insane!

“You need to step aside, let them go into the factory, because they will perform better thaꦗn you.”

Espargaro crashed 👍heavily at the opening round of 2023, suffering terrible back and jaw injuries.

“After the crash, I realise🅰d it wasn't just a🗹bout myself anymore,” he said.

“I have two daughters and a wife. To be at home, and you can’t catch your da🌞ughter because you have pain in your back or arms, that was painful.

“I left a sp🔜ace t꧋o Pedro and look what he’s doing! He is amazing.”

KTM welcome 'opposites'

In 20🌠25, Espargaro will be crucial to the development of the KTM.

The manufacturer is welcoming Vinalesᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒉰ᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ and Enea Bastianini into their new-look Tech3 team.

“Maverick, we know, is a passiona꧟te rider. He is super at the limit,” Espargaro said.

“He needs to really feel it, to make it.

“Enea is completely the opposite. He is more flat, more controlled, 🅠you never know what will ha🍃ppen.

“It’s nice to work with th🅘ese two characters.ꦗ They have experience.

“M♐averick ha❀s won with every bike he’s been on in MotoGP, hopefully this is the next step to fight for the title with a KTM.

“Enea performed very well in the p💖ast two years, amazing on Saturdays and Sundays.

“They are super different, coming from different bikes. Two Italian bik꧟es.

“There are pros and cons - let’s try to i💟mprove t🐭he cons, and keep the pros.”