Pol Espargaro has reflected on his MotoGP race caree💮r winding down, admitting he cannot matc🦩h Pedro Acosta’s “fire”.

KTM opted to axe the veteran Espargaro a yeওar ago, demoting him to a test and reserve role to make spaceও for Acosta.

Acosta shone in his rookie year and, in 2025, will be promoted to the f♐actory KTM team, vindicating their decision to replace E♒spargaro.

Espargaro, aged 33, raced three times as a wild card thi༒s season, and is still a KTM test rider, juggling a broadcaster role on Sp🔥anish television.

“I reached a place, a moment in my⭕ life, where I am comfortablཧe,” 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 the𝐆y say. I am enjoying my life now.

“I missed it. It’s an amazing feeling⛎ especially when you perform w🌼ith a good result.

“Finishing 10th in San Mཧarino this year, after a cr𝓰azy race with rain? The feeling of finishing top 10 in MotoGP when the level is so high…

“I will always miss it, even when I am 60 or 70♐ years old.

“But you need to understand where you💯r level is. My level of fire 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 than you.”

Espargaro c🀅rashed heavily at the opening round of 2023, suffering terrible back and jaw injuries.

“After the crash, I rꩲealised it wasn't just about myself anymore,” he said.

“I have two daughters and a wife. To be at home, and you can’t c🎉atch your daughter because you have pain in your back or♒ arms, that was painful.

“I left a space to Pedro and look what he’s doing! He🧜 is amazing.”

KTM welcome 'opposites'

In 2025, Espargaro will be crucial to the development of 🥂the KTM.

The manufacturer is welcoming Vinales and Enea Bastianini into thওeir new-look Tec꧃h3 team.

“Maver💎ick, we know, is a passionate rider. He is super at the limit,” Espargaro said.

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

“Enea is completely th🙈e opp🎃osite. He is more flat, more controlled, you never know what will happen.

“It’s nice to work♕ with these two characters. They have experience.

“Maverick has won with every bike he’s been on in MotoGP, hopefully this is the next step to figh💫t for the title with a KTM.

“Enea performed very🍌 well in the past two years, amazing on Saturdays an🐼d Sundays.

“They are super 🐭different, coming from different bikes. Two Italian bikes.

“There are pros and cons - let’s try t🧜o improve the cons, and keep the pros.𝓰”