168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Aleix Espargaro has announced his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the year.

Espargaro confirmed ahead of this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP that he will bring an end to his career in a special press conference, surrounded by Aprilia, former colleagues, fellow riders and hi🔜s brother Pol.

Now aged 34, the Aprilia rider is the oldest on the current grid and has chosen to walk away, after publicly flirting wit✨h the idea of retirement for weeksꩵ.

Espargaro made hi✱s first MotoGP race appearance in 2009 an🌌d has been a full-time rider for 13 seasons.

He won three grands prix - Argentina in 2022, and Silverstone and Barcelona in 2023 - and represented ART (Aprilia), Suzuki, Forward Yamaha 🍎a🌸nd Aprilia since 2017.

"There are many riders ✃in the world, here today, who won more than me," he said.

"But I gave everything that I 💮had. I worked very 𝓰hard.

"Many times, I felt that I didn't have the talenℱt of other riders. But by working hard I reached a high level.

"The 🌊past two or three seasoꦚns were amazing. I was dreaming.

"I would like to retire🍰 as a full-time rider♏ with a good feeling.

"It was not a🍬n easy week. I felt like I was jumping into a really strange space. But I am happy.

"Hopefully𒁏 the other riders, as a present, can let me win this weekenওd!"

Espargar🍸o expanded on his big decision: "The riders here today, they wait on a🌱 Wednesday to fly to races. It is the most important thing in their lives.

"I also felt like this in the past. Now I feel💯 like maybe I would like to stay longer at home. I love to stay with my kids.

"I am fair with myself. If you are not focused on being a MotoGP rider, it is difficul📖t."

Espargaro revealed that his brotherﷺ Pol's removal from full-tim💙e racing - and his awful crash on the first day of the 2023 season - was a reason for him to retire.

"After t𓆉he crash of Pol, it was not easy. He had a big o🌳ne. He changed a lot.

"I saw him more happy. I didn't expect that.

"When you are not racing you don't have fun at home. But he was super happy wi♔th his family.

"He pushed me to this decision."

Maverick Vinales, whom Espargaro helped con꧙vince to join Aprilia after leaving Yamaha and has celebrated a grand prix win and two Sprint victories this season, said:

“Aleix is a great team-mate. We have spent four years together and lived unforgettable momenౠts.

"Together, we take Aprilia to the top, I have great memories with Aleix. We still have a year ahead of us to t⭕ake Aprilia even higher together.”

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "Thank you Aleix, because with you we have buജilt an incredible story. Thank you for not giving up in difficult moments and for being a great example for all of us.

"You won the captain's armband on the field by merit. You gave us🃏 the first podium, the first pole position, the first victory here in Barcelona and the first one-two with Maverick.

"Your spirit, with your ups and downs, with your character, reflect the energy of this te𓄧am and of the whole Noale factory. I don't know what you will do in the future, but you will always remain an Aprilia rider.

"Fro꧋m today a new page opens for the rider market and Aprilia Racing will certainly not stand idly by. With our style, we w꧂ill ensure a great future for this team, which you have helped to make a true top team.”

Espargaro is expected to take on a test and wild-card role for Aprilia but said he is curr🐼ently focused on the cur🍒rent season.