Aleix Espargaro recently shared his thoughts, saying he always believed he had less natural talent than some of his rivals. However, he managed to overcome this through hard work and determination.

Espargaro officially ended his remarkable career at the Barcelona Grand Prix in November, capping off a MotoGP journey that began in 2012.

He is widely credited with transforming Aprilia into a race-winning contender. Espargaro joined Aprilia's fledgling MotoGP program in 2017, at the peak of his career, and played a key role in shaping the manufacturer’s success.

Although the early years were challenging—Espargaro finished as low as 17th in the championship twice—his determination paid off. By 2021, his efforts began to yield results, leading to standout performances in subsequent seasons. Espargaro concluded his career with three grand prix wins, seven pole positions, and eleven podiums.

Reflecting on his career, Espargaro acknowledged that, while he may not have matched the natural talent of MotoGP’s top riders, he succeeded by working tirelessly and creating a strong, supportive environment.

“There’s a saying many people use: ‘Hard work beats talent,’ and I truly believe it,” Espargaro remarked. “I always felt I had less talent than many of my peers, but by working very hard, using all the resources of my team, and surrounding myself with the right people, I showed that you can achieve your goals.

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who never gave up.”

The unexpected cancellation of the Valencian Grand Prix and the rescheduling of the season finale to Barcelona gave Espargaro an opportunity to end his career at his home circuit.

It was an emotional rollercoaster, highlighted by Jorge Martin’s championship win. Espargaro and Martin celebrated together during the cooldown lap.

One of the most important moments of the weekend came after the sprint race, when Espargaro rode the Honda RS125 on which he had made his grand prix debut in 2005.

Reflecting on the weekend, Espargaro said: “There were so many memorable moments. Riding my first 125cc bike again was incredible—it reminded me of the kid I once was. And on Sunday, my wife surprised me with a special helmet in the garage.

“I was very focused before the race, but when I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I cried on the grid, and I cried again after the race. I stopped with Jorge, and he kept repeating, ‘We made it, this is also yours.’

“Being able to say goodbye to the fans here in Catalunya, having my best friend crowned world champion, and ending my journey with Aprilia—it’s a perfect 10/10.

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”