Aleix Espargaro

Team Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
Nation Spain
Date of birth 30/07/1989
Place of birth Granollers, Spain

If it ever gets good for Aprilia in MotoGP – and there are increasing signs that it's coming for the manufacturer that has largely propped up the pack in recent years – it would be cruel if Aleix Espargaro isn’t the man to reap the rewards.

The Spanish veteran's drive, focus and ever-present energy has kept the Aprilia project somewhat on track since he switched from Suzuki in 2017, and Espargaro – together with former Ferrari F1 sporting director and Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola – have moved mountains behind the scenes to get the Italian marque into the same ballpark as their rivals despite spotting them a healthy start.

Cycling-mad Espargaro (the elder Espargaro brother by just under two years) is a devoted family man with a maniacal approach to fitness, and remains as forthright as ever, his passion in a career that dates back as far as 2004 burning as brightly as ever.