Aleix Espargaro beꦦlieves Jorge Martin can be successful at Aprilia in MotoGP because he won on🍰 it without “a sliver of the talent" champion riders like him have.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marti🐭n moves to the factory Aprilia squad for the coming season having been denied a step to the works Ducati team.

Martin, who beat Francesco Bagnaia to the 2024 crown on a Pramac-run GP24, has already💧 ruled out defending his title in 2025 in his first year on🍰 the RS-GP.

Bu𝓀t Espargaro, who won three grands prix with Aprilia before retiring at the end of 2024, believes the fact he was able to be competitive on the RS-GP leaves little doubt about Martin’s potential.

“I have always believed that we can fight for the world championship with Aprilia and I say this with the utmost sincerity,” Espargaro, who will serve as a Hon🧸da test rider in 2025, said in a DAZN documentary.

“I don’t have even a sliver of the talent that those who have fought for the title possess, and yet I managed to win races with this bike, I have obtained pole p⛄ositions and set record✅s on many tracks.

“I’m not saying that Jorge will be able to do it this year, but he will🎉 certainly be able to have his say.”

Martin tested the RS-GP for the first time 🍌last November in Barcelona, with Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola noting at the time that the Spaniard’s feedb🐭ack was more positive than expected.

He will be joined by Marco Bezzecchi in 2025, while Fabiano Sterlacchini replaces Honda-bound Romano Albesiꦑano as technical director.

Espargaro also warned that Pedro Acosta wiꦡll be a threat at the front of the field in 2025, even if the Ducati is still “currently much superior to the others”.

“My former team is doing a great job, but KTM can enjoy an incredible sওtar like Pedro.

“So, without a doubt he will be among the title contenders - although the Desmosedici is currentl🍌y much superior to the others.”