MotoGP™ manic Monday has been headlined by the news that Pol Espargaro will ride alongside eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda in 2021 and 2022. Before that though, the Spaniard must bring to an end "the four most intense and beautiful years" with KTM. In an emotional Instagram post, Espargaro described his team inside the Austrian factory as being "out of this world" but that he is ready for "a new stage" in his life with HRC.
"As you may already know, next year KTM and I will separate our paths after what will be the four most intense and beautiful years of my life," said the 29-year-old on Instagram. "Knowing that on many occasions we have had weaker weapons than the others, we have fought and persevered together overcoming all the obstacles that a project as new as this has presented us. I have been surrounded by a technical and human team from out of this world, tireless fighters who have always given their all!
"In 2021 I am going to compete for the Repsol Honda Team and I am going to try to show what I am capable of achieving with the same effort and sacrifice, in a new stage of my life that promises to be even more intense. But we still have a whole season together in which, as always, I will try to be on the level that this great factory deserves!"
After his most successful year to date with the orange brand in 2019, highlighted by a top-six finish at Le Mans and a memorable front row start at Misano, both will be keen to finish their partnership on a high before Espargaro takes his seat at Repsol Honda alongside Marc Marquez.
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