Marco Bezzecchi
Aleix Espargaro will act as a test rider for Honda in 2025 after retiring from full-time competition at the end of last year.
The Spaniard confirmed his exit in May 2024 after spending eight years as a factory Aprilia rider. Espargaro told his wife his career was over after he crashed in the sprint race at Jerez.
The 35-year-old enjoyed a successful career in the premier class since debuting in 2009, winning three races and grabbing 11 podiums. But Espargaro will remain in MotoGP in some capacity in 2025.
Honda have signed him as a test rider for this season and he will work closely with Stefan Bradl and Takaami Nakagami behind the scenes to help develop the manufacturer’s bike.
Stefan Bradl says Aleix Espargaro felt the balance of the Honda was not ‘right’ in testing
Factory Honda rider Joan Mir is excited to work with Espargaro as his experience could be vital in helping the manufacturer recover from a disappointing 2024 campaign. Honda HRC and LCR managed just 75 points between them as they finished bottom of the standings behind Yamaha.
Espargaro has already got to work with his new team as he tested the Honda bike for the first time at the post-season test in Barcelona in November.
The Japanese manufacturer will be looking to improve their fortunes in 2025. But Honda will not like what Espargaro had to say about their bike after his first outing.
Speaking with Spanish outlet Motosan, Bradl shared that the 34-year-old felt the bike’s balance was ‘not right’, pointing to several different aspects that ‘need attention.’
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“I’ve already seen a lot of riders give their first impressions from testing the bike: Pol Espargaro, Alex Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Johann Zarco, Luca Marini, and now Aleix, who basically comes from Aprilia,” he said.
“His initial feedback was that everything was working fine, but that the balance of the bike was not right. That means there are a lot of small details that we need to improve.
“Obviously, I wish he had pointed out something specific, like the engine, traction or another specific aspect, something that we could quickly adjust. But it doesn’t work like that. He didn’t mention a single problem to solve, but rather several separate aspects that need attention.
“This is not the kind of immediate progress we are looking for at the moment; it is something more complicated. In short, the bike was fine for him, but clearly there is work to do.”
Honda are desperate to improve on their disappointing 2024 season
It is not just Espargaro that has raised some concerns surrounding the team’s machinery. Johann Zarco previously said Honda have regressed with their 2025 bike, but fortunately, there is still time to develop it ahead of the season opener in Thailand.
Zarco is aiming to remain Honda’s number one rider in the championship. The Frenchman was the highest-finishing Honda rider in 2024, but he only managed 55 points across the season.
Factory riders Mir and Luca Marini scored just 35 points between them in 2024. Marco Melandri says Mir and Marini are ‘in crisis’ as he doubts whether the duo can propel the team up the order.
Honda are targeting Pedro Acosta for the future. The ongoing financial crisis at KTM could make the Spanish sensation available on the rider market.
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