Joel Esteban Steps Back Down to Junior GP after Mixed Debut Moto3 Season
After a mixed debut season in Moto3, Joel Esteban will return to Junior GP in 2025. The Spaniard will continue within the Aspar structure.
There didn’t seem to be much hope for Guido Pini and the Intact GP Moto3 team when the 17-year-old fractured both of his legs in a motocross accident during the winterbreak.
However, the outlook for the Italian has improved since. Team Manager Peter Öttl states: “Of course, the situation is not ideal, but we are still in good spirits.”
“According to the doctors, he might be able to participate in the second test. It’s still too early to make any firm plans, but that’s the goal.”
The good news: The newest signing of the German Intact GP team will now be able to prepare for his rookie Moto3 season on the Memmingen-based team’s KTM.
The 17-year-old from Tuscany has grown quite injury-prone in 2024. Pini suffered three major injuries on his way to becoming a Moto3 pro. In March, he fractured his right forearm, breaking the scaphoid and radius bone.
He recovered quickly to get back on the bike only to fracture his left elbow just one month later. In June, he broke the radius bone in his right arm again.
Öttl adds: “The season is very long and Guido is still very young. It’s his rookie year, so there’s no reason to panic. But at least one test before the start of the season would be important.”
The German got hold of the Italian after a lengthy contract poker. Having just turned 17, Pini had to push himself into the top three in JuniorGP to be eligible for the Moto3 World Championship.
The plan worked out – with a brilliant final spurt finishing 1st and 2nd in the final two races of the season, the Italian secured 2nd in the championship and received the go-ahead to take part in Moto3 in 2025.
