MotoGP Valencia: Espargaro set for ‘emotional weekend’

Pol Espargaro has one final dance on the Repsol Honda awaiting him as MotoGP prepares for the 2022 season finales at Valencia.

The scene of his debut podium in the premier class back in 2018, Valencia has been a rollercoaster circuit for the Spaniard, having suffered a heavy FP3 highside during last year’s visit which forced him to sit out of the remainder of the weekend.

Kicking off 2022 on the Qatar podium following an early battle for the victory, Espargaro has claimed one additional podium - second at Misano in 2021 - and a Silverstone pole position during his two years with HRC. The 31-year-old has just one race left aboard the RC213V before he returns to the familiar surroundings of both KTM and Tech3 - in the guise of the all-new GasGas Factory Team - for 2023.

“It is going to be an emotional weekend,” Espargaro admitted. “My last one with the Repsol Honda Team. I want to thank everyone inside HRC, Repsol and the team for these two years.

“Together we have lived through some incredible moments and fought to overcome the hard times.

“Valencia is a circuit I really enjoy, we didn’t have any luck there last year but I want to say goodbye to everyone with a strong weekend. Let’s just enjoy this last race and focus on the positives that we achieved together.”