Aleix Espargaró fulfills his dream and debuts today as a professional cyclist in the Tour of Austria with Lidl-Trek

Aleix Espargaró will live a unique day in his sports career this Wednesday. Just a few days after competing as a wild card in MotoGP with Honda at the Dutch Grand Prix, the Catalan rider will exchange his racing suit for a cycling jersey to make his debut as a professional cyclist in the Tour of Austria, as part of the Lidl-Trek World Tour team.

Aleix Espargaró makes his debut as a professional cyclist in Austria

"It's crazy and very nice to be able to say that last week I raced in MotoGP with the best team in the world and now I will debut in the World Tour with Lidl-Trek," confessed Espargaró in statements to the newspaper As. "It wasn't in my initial plans to race in MotoGP this year, but Honda asked me to do it and it was logical to test the new equipment. What I am doing seems unique and historic, I am very proud."

At 35 years old, he will debut with number 47 in a demanding five-stage race that takes place from July 9 to 13, within the UCI Europe Tour calendar. His role will be clear: to help his teammate Lennard Kämna in the mountain stages. "In the last ten years, in MotoGP, I have been the captain, a leader. Now, I will be a helper. I have always asked to be treated like everyone else and I will work until I explode," he explained humbly.

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In December 2024, Lidl-Trek officially announced his signing as an ambassador. Since then, Espargaró has participated in training camps and gravel competitions, such as the UCI Gravel World Series in Badajoz, where he finished seventh. But professional road cycling is a different story. "I am more nervous now than when I debuted in MotoGP. Much more. There, I arrived after going through Moto3 and Moto2. Here, I haven't even done an amateur race. I have only participated in two rides," he admitted.

Despite the nerves, excitement overwhelms him. "I am a very hardworking and humble person who wants to learn," he said. The Lidl-Trek team itself supports his progression. "The analysts have told me that I have more than enough numbers to enjoy a good Tour of Austria," he revealed.

The race will feature favorites for victory such as riders like Isaac del Toro (UAE), Laurens de Plus (INEOS), Esteban Chaves (EF Education), or Patrick Konrad (Lidl Trek).