The 2013 Moto2 world champion has raced full-time in MotoGP since 2014, with spells at Tech3 Yamaha, KTM, Honda and then back to KTM-backed Tech3 GasGas squad for 2023, scoring eight podiums in the process.
Serious injury in practice for the Portuguese GP ruled Espargaro out until August’s British GP, with the Spaniard scoring just 15 points as he struggled to get back to full fitness.
Read more: What compels a MotoGP rider to return to something that almost killed them?
He has been moved aside at Tech3 to make way for reigning Moto2 champion and highly anticipated rookie Pedro Acosta, and will take on a test ride role within KTM that will also see him make a maximum of six wildcards.
After remounting from a crash in Valencia to finish in the points in 14th, Espargaro admits the emotions of the day were hard to control, while noting that it feels like the end of a chapter in his career.
“So much [emotion], especially on the start every time I was putting my head up, seeing all the riders surrounding me, this tense and nervous atmosphere that sometimes you hate but sometimes you miss it so much when you are far from it for a long time,” he said when asked by Autosport if it was only goodbye for now.
“It was emotional, very difficult to control it.
“It’s the start of the finish. It’s the beginning of the end. I feel that one chapter is closing today in my life.
“It’s ok that I will race but it’s going to be something different. Of course, I will try to be competitive, I will try to recover myself from the crash because still I’m weak.
“But hopefully in the future I can do some good races like Dani is doing, prepare for them in the proper way and be competitive.”
Source: Autosport