Aleix Espargaro believes Jorge Martin can be successful at Aprilia in MotoGP because he won on it without “a sliver of the talent" champion riders l﷽ike him have.

Reigning MotoGP 🌳worldꦯ champion Martin moves to the factory Aprilia squad for the coming season having been denied a step to the works Ducati team.

Martin, who beat Francesco Bagnaia to the 2🌜024 crown on a Pramac-run GP24, has already ruled out defending his title in 2025 in his first year on the RS-GP.

But Espargaro, who won three grands prix with Aprilia before retiring at the end of 2024, believes the fact he was able to be competitive on the🎀 RS-GP leaves little doubt about Martin’s potential.

“I have always believed that we can fight for the world championship with Aprilia and I say this with the utmost sincerity,” Espargaro, who will s🍌erve as a Honda test rider in 2025, said in a DAZN documentary.

“I ꦜdon’t have even a sliver of the talent that those who have fought for the title possess, and yet I managed to win races with this bike, I have obtained pole positions an🌳d set records on many tracks.

“I’m not saying that Jo🃏rge will be able to do it this year, but he will certainly be able to have his say.”

Martin tested✤ the RS-GP for the first time last November in Barcelona, with 🅠Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola noting at the time that the Spaniard’s feedback was more positive than expected.

He will be j🦄oined by Marco Bezzecchi in 2025, while Fabiano Sterlacchini r♔eplaces Honda-bound Romano Albesiano as technical director.

Espargaro also warned that Pedro Acosta will be a threat at the front of the field in 2025, even if the Ducati is still “currentl💫y mu🌱ch superior to the others”.

“My former team is doing a great job, but 💛KTM can enjoy an incredible star like Pedro🍃.

“So, without a doubt he will be among the title contenders - although the Desmosedici is currently much superio🍎r to the others.”