Aleix is set for his 14th season in MotoGP next year which is🌊 the most of any rider currentꦬly on the grid.

His brother Pol, who was the second oldest rider on the grid behind Aleix, managꦏed to compete i🌠n the premier class for 10 years before KTM chose to replace him with Moto2 world champion Pedro Acosta.

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But although Aleix is older than his brother, the Aprilia rider called Pol his ‘idol💟’ after the Spaniard left his role as a full-time racer.

Speaking to MotoGP.com after the Valencia MotoGP: Aleix♎ said: "Pol has been always my idol even if I'm older than him. When we arrived at the world championship, he was very fast immediately, winning races and he won the Moto2 title. 

“I've always be🐼en by his side so today was very emotional. On the grid, I went to hug him and I couldn't avoid crying before the race. It was not easy. 

“The last lap with him was very nice. Th✅is year has been🙈 very tough you know because you cannot imagine how Pol has suffered and we, his family, we suffered a lot with him. 

“His injury in Portimao was a very big one and I'm very happy to see him happy and smiling. Next🐷 year he has a new role but for me you know I don't really care where heꦦ works I want to see him happy and I think he's happy now." 

Pol Espargaro will continue his partnership with KTM in 2024 after agreeing to become their test rider alongside Dani Pedr🐭osa.

But before that the Spaniard is looking forward to winding 🌱down after a difficult 2023: "I need to tak🌊e some rest. I need to recover myself a little bit. It's been a while since I don't feel as competitive as I should feel, but also with the confidence that I need to perform to be beside these guys. 

“These guys are talented, young and extremely fit. If you don't have all of these things, then you are too far aw꧙ay so you enjoy it. 

“It's important to enjoy it but I will need to recover part of the Pol that left in Portimao🦋ꦐ."