Espargaro: Zarco doesn't deserve Repsol Honda seat
Aleix Espargaro says that Johann Zarco doesn't deserve the Repsol Honda ride he's been linked to and would rather welcome seeing Alex Marquez join his brother Marc at the team.

Jorge Lorenzo's retirement has freed up the second factory Honda bike alongside Marquez, with Cal Crutchlow, Zarco and Alex Marquez all emerging as potential candidates.
Alex Marquez has since become the favourite to get the nod by Honda, with a possible announcement rumoured to be scheduled for soon after the Valencia GP season finale.
Read Also:
Aprilia rider Espargaro agreed that Honda should pick Marquez rather than Zarco, who "doesn't deserve anything" after showing 'unprofessional' attitude towards KTM this year.
Zarco joined the factory KTM team this year but decided to quit the team just one season into his two-year deal, having struggled to adapt to the bike.
"Many people say that Zarco deserves that bike, for me that is not true," said Espargaro.
"For me, if Zarco deserves that bike, [my brother] Pol and me deserve [it] 10 times more. I think if the Moto2 world champion [Alex Marquez] goes there, more than welcome, and I think he deserves [it].
"For me he [Zarco] doesn't deserve anything. The attitude he showed this year, for me, is not a professional attitude.
"The people in Aprilia know how many times I cry last year and this year but this is our job and life, a lot of people behind us with a lot of families are working very hard, a lot people are putting a lot of money in the projects.
"To stop and say 'this bike is s**t, I go home', for me he doesn't deserve to go to the best bike and best team in the world. It is just my opinion."
Espargaro reckons that the Marquez brothers teaming up would be the best outcome, but doesn't think that he and his brother Pol becoming teammates would be similarly fruitful.
"I think the situation with Marquez brothers is completely different [to ours], one is the best rider of the history with many titles, Honda is his home.
"His brother is younger, never been in MotoGP. Pol and me are similar level, similar places with different manufacturers so I think it is better how it is.
"If at the end Honda decide to take [Alex] Marquez, I think is the best decision, I would do the same because he is the Moto2 world champion. Also Marc would be happy."
Additional reporting by Lewis Duncan

Previous article
Valencia MotoGP: Marquez wins to seal teams' title for Honda
Next article
No Ducati talks over 2020 swap, say Petrucci and Miller

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Event | Valencia GP |
Drivers | Johann Zarco , Aleix Espargaro , Alex Marquez |
Teams | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini |
Author | David Gruz |
Espargaro: Zarco doesn't deserve Repsol Honda seat
Trending
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title