Espargaro returns as Aprilia goes (RED) for Valencia
Aleix Espargaro will return to MotoGP action for this weekend's season finale at Valencia, as Aprilia adopts a special (RED) colour scheme at the Spanish venue for the second year in a row.
Espargaro had been forced to miss the previous race at Sepang due to the hand injury he picked up in a crash at Phillip Island, which resulted in the Spaniard undergoing surgery.
But, pending being passed fit by Valencia circuit doctors on Thursday, Espargaro will be back for the final race of the season and the two days of post-season testing that follow it.
“I can't wait to get back in the saddle," said Espargaro. "I have missed the RS-GP!
"I was sorry to miss the Malaysia round due to the injury. Unfortunately ours is a dangerous sport and these things can happen.
"I am confident. My hand is better and despite the fact that there is still some pain, I will give 100 percent. The entire team and I deserve to finish this season well.
"We have worked hard and we want to tackle preparation for 2018 with the right confidence."
Espargaro and teammate Sam Lowes will both take to the track sporting the colours of AIDS charity (RED), similar to the livery Aprilia ran in last year's Valencia race (pictured below).
Aprilia finds itself tied on 64 points with KTM for fifth in the manufacturers' standings, making Valencia the deciding race in the battle to avoid finishing bottom of the table.
Share Or Save This Story
Sho Tsuboi calls for Super Formula engine overhaul as Toyota “can’t properly compete with Honda”
Super Formula Sugo: Igor Fraga livid as safety car gifts Nirei Fukuzumi victory
How a Le Mans winner is changing the game for female racing in Japan
Aleix Espargaro to undergo surgery after vertebral injury
Aleix Espargaro hospitalised after crash in Sepang MotoGP test
Aleix Espargaro quits pro cycling after injuries hinders 2025 Honda role
Jorge Martin to decide on arm pump surgery after Austrian GP
Jorge Martin reveals arm pump behind sudden San Marino GP fall-off, pondering surgery
How MotoGP's summer break has revitalised Aprilia's factory team
“I’m not enjoying life” – How Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull F1 stint “exhausted” him
Crash victim Kelvin van der Linde consoles Maro Engel: "I know how much it hurts"
AJ Foyt Racing signs reigning IndyCar Rookie of the Year Dennis Hauger to multi-year deal
Was Cadillac “faster” than Williams in Madring F1 race?
Are Aprilia riders making it too easy for Marc Marquez to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
What we learned from MotoGP’s decisive San Marino Grand Prix
Pedro Acosta may not win a MotoGP race on a KTM - and that’s not a failure
Will the 2026 MotoGP title fight boil down to these three riders?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments