Team Tech3 GasGas Factory Racing

Pol Espargaro
Born June 10 1991, in Granollers, Spain

Younger brother of Aleix, Pol Espargaro made his debut in 125cc Grand Prix racing in 2006, having worked his way up through the national ranks like most riders his age. The Catalan was the best rookie after winning the Spanish 125cc title and scored his first Grand Prix victory in 2009. A third place in the world championship the following year opened the doors to the Moto2 class. In his first season in the intermediate class, he got on the podium twice. In 2012 he was on the podium eleven times, including four wins. At the time, he was battling with a certain Marc Marquez and finally finished in second place in the world championship. Having rid himself of his cumbersome rival, who moved up to MotoGP, Pol won the title in 2013. Yamaha recruited him for MotoGP and placed him in the Tech 3 team alongside Cal Crutchlow. Sixth overall at the end of the season, the Catalan won the Rookie of the Year award. With four DNFs, the 2015 season proved more difficult. Ninth at the end of the season, he narrowly missed out on the best independent rider award in 2016 - a performances that earned him a proposal from KTM, for their premier class debut. Despite the difficulties inherent in a brand-new project, Pol managed to get into the top ten four times his first year aboard the RC16. Always prepared to give it his all, the Spaniard unfortunately tried too often to surpass the limits of a machine under development. As a result, he was injured twice during the 2018 season. This did not prevent him from finishing the year with a high note by offering KTM, at the last Grand Prix in Valencia, its first podium in MotoGP. However, it was necessary to wait until 2020 to see the RC16’s go up another notch.

With five podiums, Pol finished the championship in fifth place. In 2021, the Catalan joined Marc Marquez in the factory Honda team. Unfortunately for him, the RC213V suffered that year against its competitors. Espargaro had to make do with a pole position, a podium and twelfth place overall. The 2022 season was no more conclusive. A single podium and only 56 points did not allow him to finish any better than sixteenth at the end of his second year aboard the Honda. Suffice to say that Pol is pinning a lot on his return in the Austrian fold, owner of GasGas, and to Tech 3, the team with which he made his MotoGP debut.

Augusto Fernandez
Born September 23, 1997, in Madrid, Spain

European Junior Champion in 2014, Augusto Fernandez raced in 600 Superstock in 2015 and then in CEV Moto2 the following year. He finished 5th in the Spanish championship before discovering the Moto2 World Championship in 2017 with the Speed Up team that he joined at the Italian Grand Prix. Due to a lack of budget, he unfortunately had to return to his national championship in 2018. But his performances in CEV got him noticed by the Pons team that, from GP of Catalonia, was looking for a replacement for Hector Barbera. This time, Augusto Fernandez did not let his chance slip through his fingers. He made it three times into the top eight, which earned him a full-time place in Grand Prix the following season. With five podiums, including three victories, the Madrid born rider finished fifth in the Moto2 World Championship in 2019, enough to convince the Marc VDS Racing Team to recruit him as successor Alex Marquez.

In 2020, with only three top five finishes, the Spaniard had to settle for thirteenth place in the overall standings. He found his way back to the podium the following season and finished fifth in the championship. He was recruited by the Ajo team and in 2022 he took another step forward. Not only did Augusto keep winning, he also took the Moto2 World Championship title, succeeding Remy Gardner. Thanks to this success, the Spaniard will start this season in MotoGP with the GasGas Tech 3 team. Augusto Fernandez will be the only rookie in the MotoGP championship.