Saved from the crushers? Suzuki graciously gifts Espargaró his 2016 race bike as a thank you.

In an exciting development, current Aprilia driver and amateur YouTuber Aleix Espargaro has acquired a unique property for his private collection. The racer’s own Suzuki GSX-RR used in the 2016 MotoGP season is now part of his private collection.

This development marks an important milestone for Espargaro. Espargaro has been giving a glimpse into life as a racing driver on his own YouTube channel since earlier this year, giving his fans a glimpse into his daily life and his impressive garage.

Suzuki pulled some strings to save his bike from disaster at the 2016 GP. Several bicycles have been preserved for display in museums, but Espargaro seems to have been considered another exception. As for the fate of Alex Rins’ 2022 GSX-RR, there is no doubt that she too was saved.

It’s worth noting that this particular GP bike has sentimental value for Espargaro, as it’s the exact bike he rode during the 2016 GP season. Espargaro mechanic Robert loaded the GSX-RR into the Aprilia Racer campervan during a stop in Milan.

The 33-year-old Catalan exclaimed in excitement, “This is not a dream, it’s real!” In fact, Suzuki gave me the GSX-RR that participated in the 2016 MotoGP World Championship as a present. I was almost moved. “tears. It’s a moment that really gives you goosebumps. It’s unbelievable. It is usually impossible to obtain a Japanese MotoGP machine for personal use. I have always asked about it and the answer has always been no. However, when they were retiring from MotoGP, they contacted me and offered me a bike as a token of gratitude, which was the beginning of the project. At first I thought it was a joke, but after a year and a half of paperwork and a contract, the 2016 GSX-RR #41 arrived.

The only modification required was to replace the front fairing with the original fairing, with the exception of the winglets. When Espargaro tested his old GSX-RR, he was surprised and said, “I didn’t remember it being this small. It’s almost as narrow as the Moto2 Karex.” It’s incredible how MotoGP bikes have evolved over the years. The 2016 Suzuki is stunningly beautiful, but today’s MotoGP bikes are arguably much more competitive.

Espargaro expressed his gratitude and thanked Suzuki, Sahara-san, Davide and Roberto Brivio for making this extraordinary acquisition possible. The current Aprilia factory rider said with a look of joy: I feel like a little child. Seeing the bike again was emblematic of where it all began and was an incredibly emotional experience. Suzuki was the first manufacturer to believe in me and has since changed my life. It was through Suzuki that Aprilia caught my eye and led to wins and podiums…. That’s why this bike has a special place in my heart. ”

Espargaro raced for Suzuki in 2015 and 2016, finishing 11th in both world championships. He struggled to achieve back-to-back podiums, but did score an impressive pole position at the 2015 Catalunya Grand Prix.

source: rideapart.com