After a challenging 2023 season due to injuries suffered at the MotoGP Portugal GP, Pol Espargaró lost his spot at GasGas Tech3 to Pedro Acosta, becoming a test rider for the next year with various wildcard appearances. Despite the possibility of returning to Repsol Honda, he stuck with his initial decision.
Espargaró explained his reasons to the official MotoGP website, stating: ‘I felt that I had to take this step in my career. Take a step to the side, not backward. And try to help the factory and a rider like Pedro. The future needs to continue building in this factory. And in this case, Pedro is the one who is taking my place’.
He acknowledged a debt of gratitude to KTM, saying: ‘I am the rider I am today thanks to them. We’ve helped each other. But I think I learned a lot there, and I have a lot to give back to them. And if I stay here, it’s because I really feel and believe that this is the best manufacturer in the championship’.