"I find it incredible that something like this becomes news": Aleix Espargaró responds to viral cycling video controversy

Former MotoGP star Aleix Espargaró became a trending topic on social media this Thursday after a video circulated showing him riding a bicycle up a mountain pass and overtaking a car in an area with reduced visibility.

The images generated an intense debate among fans and internet users. The episode also caused discomfort within Lidl-Trek, as the Spanish rider is an ambassador for the team and appears in the video wearing the kit of the German squad. Furthermore, Espargaró had already had previous contact with the team after competing in two professional races during the 2025 season.

Given the impact the video reached, Espargaró himself decided to respond to the criticism through his Instagram account. The Spaniard defended his actions and expressed his surprise at the dimension the issue had taken.

"Do I really have to give explanations for overtaking on a broken line, with clear visibility, a car that was going at 30 km/h? I find it incredible that something like this becomes news and ends up in all the media... hahaha. Anyway, we keep going," the rider wrote on social media.

Beyond his career in motorcycling, Espargaró has always shown a great passion for cycling. The Catalan lives in Andorra, where he trains regularly and shares routes with professional cyclists.

In 2025, he fulfilled one of his personal goals by making his debut in the professional cycling peloton at the age of 36. That year, he participated in the Tour of Austria, although he had to abandon the race in the third stage after suffering a crash.

He also took the start at the Circuito de Getxo, where he finished in 57th position, almost seven minutes behind the winner, the Mexican rider from UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Isaac del Toro.

After that experience on the bicycle, Espargaró decided in 2026 to leave the cycling peloton and focus once again on the racing circuits. He currently works as a test rider for Honda, thus resuming his career within professional motorcycling.