AleixEspargaro might have said good-bye to full-time MotoGP racing at the conclusion of the last year, but the outspoken veteran is not out of the thick of the drama of MotoGP controversies. In the recent twist of events, its earlier rider has now publicly raised the eyebrows on the move by his former team to insist that his former team namely Aprilia remains relevant, by forcing the current world championrho Martin to remain when it seems that the rider wishes to move away. The relationship between the rider and the manufacturer is experiencing deep cracks that have shown a tense condition which Espargaro has failed to conceal.

The Spaniard, as former test rider at Honda at present, does not make just an observer of this story. The two riders are managed by the same person, Albert Valera, and he has a good personal relationship with the number one rider currently. They are best mates, so the fact that they have been together in the same garage of Aprilia through the years would add more credence to what Espargaro says. Chatting from Assen where he crossed the line last in the Dutch Grand Prix having been overtaken by SomkiatChantra late on in the race, Espargaro was philosophical. It is a really depressing and difficult case of both of them, and I can sympathize with them both, he said. However, in case there is clause under which Martin can get out of a team and Martin does not want to be there, I do not see a reason why the other party would push him stay where he does not want to stay.

The battle is bigger to the point that the CEO of MotoGP, Carmelo Ezpeleta had to intervene. Ezpeleta threatened that unless both parties agreed in one way or another to race together in the upcoming season, Martin will not be registered to race again in the coming season. That caused shock in the MotoGP circles and added pressure on Aprilia to sort themselves out. This is not exactly the best legal solution a player can have, who is recovering after the injury and just getting ready to play the second part of the season, like Martin is. It is also known that Honda has shown a strong interest to sign him when he will become available, and that further complicates the situation.

In this case it is agent Albert Valera who was very instrumental in drafting the clause in Martin contract that has now become the center of the storm. In his mind, the clause would be a security to his client as long as things failed with Aprilia. Today, it is this line which has been the epicenter of one of the most publicized contract fights in MotoGP. In case Martin succeeds in breaking free, this may create the precedent in the future negotiations process that will put riders in advantage positions as teams will also have to reconsider the manner in which the deals are made.

This could not make Aprilia change its mind, but at least, it has put extra pressure and scrutiny in the hands of Espargaro. To a rider who had represented a renaissance of Aprilia the words are especially painful. Such moments will become the future of this kind of sport. MotoGP might live on speed and the spectacle but in this instance it is the power play off the track that would set the tone of a new era.

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