Pol Espargaró
| Pol Espargaró | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.jpg) Espargaró in 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality |
 Spanish | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
June 10, 1991 Granollers, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current team | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bike number | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pol Espargaró Villà (born June 10, 1991) is a Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle racer who currently rides in the MotoGP class for the KTM factory team. Pol is the younger brother of Aleix Espargaró, and is best known for winning the 2013 Moto2 World Championship.[1][2] He won the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2015 with Bradley Smith and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, and in 2016 with Nakasuga and Alex Lowes.
Career
125cc World Championship (2006–10)
Youngest rider to score a championship point (2006)
Born in Granollers, Barcelona, Espargaró, arrived in the 125cc World Championship in 2006 participating in the last six races of the year. This promising rider from Barcelona replaced the injured Italian Andrea Iannone at Campetella Racing and made his debut with the Italian team on board a Derbi at the Czech Republic Grand Prix. Two months before, Espargaró had made history as a wildcard in the Catalan Grand Prix when he finished 13th to become the youngest ever point scorer in a Grand Prix at the age of just 15 years and 8 days. His end of season run-in was spectacular, winning five consecutive races in Spanish 125cc Championship to become champion, followed by a 6th placed finish at the Valencian Grand Prix.
First podium (2007)
In 2007, Espargaró aimed to further enhance the family reputation over a full season with Campetella Racing Junior Aprilia. The season start with two good results, a seventh in Qatar and fourth at Jerez, then a couple of Top 10's until the Catalan round where he finished fifth. Espargaró's turning point came in the Czech Republic where he finished in sixth place, before a top five in San Marino. The Portuguese race was the highlight point of his short career, claiming a third place finish from seventh on the grid. Espargaró battled for the lead with Héctor Faubel and Gábor Talmácsi, finishing just 0.2 seconds behind Faubel, who won.[3][4]
Return to Derbi (2008–10)
After running last year on board an Aprilia RS125 in Belson Campetella, he switched the Aprilia for the Derbi, in this occasion an RSA and partnered by Joan Olivé. He ended up 9th in the championship, with 3 podiums and 2 poles.
Moto2 World Championship (2011–13)
Espargaró won the 2013 Moto2 championship.
MotoGP World Championship (2014–present)
Tech 3 (2014–16)
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In May 2013, rumours appeared linking Espargaró with the MotoGP Tech 3 satellite Yamaha racing team, to replace British rider Cal Crutchlow. After Crutchlow signed a two-year deal with the factory Ducati team, Espargaró signed a two-year deal with Yamaha, the first year of which would be with Tech 3.[5] Espargaró remained with Tech 3 into the 2015 season,[6] finishing in ninth place in the final championship standings. Espargaró again remained with Tech 3 into the 2016 season,[7] and currently lies eighth in the championship standings.
KTM
Prior to the 2016 Catalan Grand Prix, it was announced that Espargaró would join the factory-supported KTM team for the 2017 season.[8] He will partner Bradley Smith in the team, with both riders moving across from the Tech 3 outfit.
Career statistics
By season
| Season | Class | Motorcycle | Team | Number | Race | Win | Podium | Pole | FLap | Pts | Plcd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 125cc | Derbi | Campetella Racing Junior | 42 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 20th |
| RACC Derbi | 92 | ||||||||||
| 2007 | 125cc | Aprilia RS125R | Belson Campetella Racing | 44 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 9th |
| 2008 | 125cc | Derbi | Belson Derbi | 44 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 124 | 9th |
| 2009 | 125cc | Derbi | Derbi Racing Team | 44 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 174.5 | 4th |
| 2010 | 125cc | Derbi | Tuenti Racing | 44 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 281 | 3rd |
| 2011 | Moto2 | FTR-Honda | HP Tuenti Speed Up | 44 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 75 | 13th |
| 2012 | Moto2 | Kalex-Honda | Pons HPTuenti40 | 40 | 17 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 269 | 2nd |
| 2013 | Moto2 | Kalex-Honda | Pons HPTuenti40 | 40 | 17 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 265 | 1st |
| 2014 | MotoGP | Yamaha YZR-M1 | Monster Yamaha Tech3 | 44 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 6th |
| 2015 | MotoGP | Yamaha YZR-M1 | Monster Yamaha Tech3 | 44 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 9th |
| 2016 | MotoGP | Yamaha YZR-M1 | Monster Yamaha Tech3 | 44 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 134 | 8th |
| Total | 175 | 15 | 44 | 17 | 15 | 1701.5 |
By class
| Class | Seas | 1st GP | 1st Pod | 1st Win | Race | Win | Podiums | Pole | FLap | Pts | WChmp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 cc | 2006–2010 | 2006 Catalunya | 2007 Portugal | 2009 Indianapolis | 71 | 5 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 708.5 | 0 |
| Moto2 | 2011–2013 | 2011 Qatar | 2011 Indianapolis | 2012 Spain | 51 | 10 | 23 | 14 | 10 | 609 | 1 |
| MotoGP | 2014–2016 | 2014 Qatar | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 384 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2006–Present | 175 | 15 | 44 | 17 | 15 | 1701.5 | 1 |
Races by year
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Yr | Class | Bike | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Pos | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 125cc | Derbi | SPA | QAT | TUR | CHN | FRA | ITA | CAT 13 |
NED | GBR | GER | CZE Ret |
MAL 14 |
AUS 16 |
JPN 19 |
POR 12 |
VAL 6 |
20th | 19 | ||
| 2007 | 125cc | Aprilia | QAT 7 |
SPA 4 |
TUR 11 |
CHN 9 |
FRA 11 |
ITA 9 |
CAT 5 |
GBR Ret |
NED 11 |
GER Ret |
CZE 6 |
RSM 5 |
POR 3 |
JPN Ret |
AUS 11 |
MAL Ret |
VAL 10 |
9th | 110 | |
| 2008 | 125cc | Derbi | QAT 8 |
SPA 14 |
POR 13 |
CHN 4 |
FRA 4 |
ITA 3 |
CAT 2 |
GBR DNS |
NED | GER 16 |
CZE 8 |
RSM Ret |
IND 2 |
JPN Ret |
AUS 5 |
MAL 6 |
VAL DNS |
9th | 124 | |
| 2009 | 125cc | Derbi | QAT 4 |
JPN 3 |
SPA 7 |
FRA Ret |
ITA 4 |
CAT Ret |
NED 9 |
GER 5 |
GBR 10 |
CZE 5 |
IND 1 |
RSM Ret |
POR 1 |
AUS 4 |
MAL 3 |
VAL 3 |
4th | 174.5 | ||
| 2010 | 125cc | Derbi | QAT 4 |
SPA 1 |
FRA 1 |
ITA 3 |
GBR 2 |
NED 3 |
CAT 3 |
GER Ret |
CZE 2 |
IND 3 |
RSM 6 |
ARA 1 |
JPN 4 |
MAL 2 |
AUS 2 |
POR 10 |
VAL 2 |
3rd | 281 | |
| 2011 | Moto2 | FTR | QAT 22 |
SPA 20 |
POR 6 |
FRA 13 |
CAT 16 |
GBR Ret |
NED Ret |
ITA 28 |
GER 13 |
CZE 16 |
IND 2 |
RSM 9 |
ARA 14 |
JPN 15 |
AUS 5 |
MAL 3 |
VAL 14 |
13th | 75 | |
| 2012 | Moto2 | Kalex | QAT 3 |
SPA 1 |
POR 2 |
FRA 6 |
CAT Ret |
GBR 1 |
NED Ret |
GER 4 |
ITA 2 |
IND 2 |
CZE 3 |
RSM 2 |
ARA 1 |
JPN 2 |
MAL 10 |
AUS 1 |
VAL 8 |
2nd | 269 | |
| 2013 | Moto2 | Kalex | QAT 1 |
AME Ret |
SPA 3 |
FRA 19 |
ITA 4 |
CAT 1 |
NED 1 |
GER 3 |
IND 4 |
CZE 4 |
GBR 8 |
RSM 1 |
ARA 3 |
MAL 2 |
AUS 1 |
JPN 1 |
VAL 29 |
1st | 265 | |
| 2014 | MotoGP | Yamaha | QAT Ret |
AME 6 |
ARG 8 |
SPA 9 |
FRA 4 |
ITA 5 |
CAT 7 |
NED Ret |
GER 7 |
IND 5 |
CZE Ret |
GBR 6 |
RSM 6 |
ARA 6 |
JPN 8 |
AUS Ret |
MAL 6 |
VAL 6 |
6th | 136 |
| 2015 | MotoGP | Yamaha | QAT 9 |
AME Ret |
ARG 8 |
SPA 5 |
FRA 7 |
ITA 6 |
CAT Ret |
NED 5 |
GER 8 |
IND 7 |
CZE 8 |
GBR Ret |
RSM Ret |
ARA 9 |
JPN Ret |
AUS 8 |
MAL 9 |
VAL 5 |
9th | 114 |
| 2016 | MotoGP | Yamaha | QAT 7 |
ARG 6 |
AME 7 |
SPA 8 |
FRA 5 |
ITA 15 |
CAT 5 |
NED 4 |
GER Ret |
AUT 10 |
CZE 13 |
GBR DNS |
RSM 9 |
ARA 8 |
JPN 6 |
AUS 5 |
MAL 9 |
VAL 6 |
8th | 134 |
Suzuka 8 Hours results
| Year | Team | Co-Riders | Bike | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 |  Yamaha Factory Racing Team |
Katsuyuki Nakasuga Bradley Smith |
Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1st |
| 2016 | Yamaha Factory Racing Team |
Katsuyuki Nakasuga Alex Lowes |
Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1st |
References
- ↑ O'Leary, Jamie (27 October 2013). "Scott Redding crashes, Pol Espargaro takes title". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "Espargaro wins to claim Moto2 world title". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "Rossi Sets Pulses Racing in Estoril Thriller". superbike-news.co.uk. 16 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
- ↑ "Faubel wins a thriller". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ↑ Farni, Azi (2 August 2013). "Pol Espargaro to ride for Tech 3 after Yamaha deal". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ↑ "Final 2015 MotoGP rider line-up". Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ↑ "Yamaha Announces Continuation of Contract with Pol Espargaró for 2016". Yamaha-racing.com. Yamaha Motor Europe. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ↑ "Pol Espargaro to join KTM's MotoGP efforts". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pol Espargaró. |
- Pol Espargaró Profile at Yahoo! Sport
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mateo Túnez |
Spanish 125cc Champion 2006 |
Succeeded by Stefan Bradl |
| Preceded by Marc Márquez |
Moto2 World Champion 2013 |
Succeeded by Esteve Rabat |
| Preceded by Leon Haslam Takumi Takahashi Michael van der Mark |
Suzuka 8 Hours Winner 2015, 2016 With: Katsuyuki Nakasuga (2015, 2016) Bradley Smith (2015) Alex Lowes (2016) |
Succeeded by Incumbent |