Mugello was a leap into the cold water

In Mugello, Pol Espargaro celebrated his MotoGP comeback via wildcard. He did not score points because he went into the race weekend without any preparation.

Marc Sinkewitz15.07.2024, 14:00

Marc Sinkewitz

Motorcycle Department

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Pol Espargaro is not satisfied with his performance at the wildcard in Mugello, Photo: LAT Images

Pol Espargaro started in Mugello with a MotoGP wildcard. The KTM test rider celebrated his comeback after he was no longer given a regular place in the premier class for the current season – despite a valid contract for 2024. But due to Pedro Acosta’s promotion to MotoGP, Espargaro had to switch to the role of development rider. At the seventh stop of the season, he made his first race appearance since the Valencia Grand Prix in November 2023. He is not satisfied with his performance.

Espargaro’s 14th and 17th place came in the sprint and main race of the Italian GP in Tuscany. The 33-year-old later expressed his disappointment about missing out on the points and also blamed his employer for this. “It was tough, I can tell you that,” Espargaro explained to the assembled journalists in his media round after the Grand Prix race in Mugello. “Next year, when they [KTM] ask me again if I want to drive, then I will ask for a test beforehand.”

Espargaro had previously completed such a MotoGP test at the end of April, but in Jerez. The former Moto2 world champion last competed in Mugello in 2022, as he had to miss the Italian classic last year due to injury. “If we can’t test here, then we’ll have to do it somewhere else. I just have to build up some speed beforehand because the guys here are very, very fast,” revealed Espargaro.

Espargaro wants to get back into MotoGP action this season. “I hope that I can at least get a wildcard. Ideally on a track that we can prepare better so that we can perform better and enjoy the race more,” is his wish, which KTM will also fulfill. Last week, the Austrians announced Espargaro’s wildcard participation in their home race at the Red Bull Ring.