[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://cdn.crash.net/2026-04/gng_1280555_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&aspect_ratio=16:9″]
“One of the darkest moments”: Trevathan “proud” that Pol settled Portimao score – Exclusive
KTM MotoGP crew chief Paul Trevathan reflects on Pol Espargaro’s brave return to Portimao, scene of his 2023 injuries.
Paul Trevathan, Pedro Acosta’s Red Bull KTM crew chief, had extra reason to celebrate last year’s double podium at the Portuguese MotoGP.
Further down the order, Trevathan’s former rider Pol Espargaro crossed the line in tenth after “facing his fears” at the circuit where he suffered a career-changing accident in 2023.
Trevathan and Espargaro formed a close bond during the early years of KTM’s MotoGP project, culminating in the Spaniard scoring five podiums and finishing fifth in the 2020 standings.
After two seasons at Repsol Honda, Espargaro then returned to KTM via Tech3, reuniting with Trevathan.
Aiming to pick up where they left off, disaster struck during practice for the Portimao season opener, where Espargaro suffered ten fractures – to his neck, vertebrae, ribs and jaw – plus a lung injury, after striking an unprotected barrier.
The vertebrae damage left Espargaro 1.5cm shorter, while the jaw injuries required his mouth to be wired shut for a month.
“I looked in the mirror, and it was not my face, not my body. You do not recognise yourself, and that was hard,” Espargaro recalled.
The damage kept Espargaro sidelined until after the summer break. Even then, he was far from fit, scoring only occasional points before handing his ride to rising star Acosta for 2024.
Espargaro slotted into a KTM test riding role, where he has since made eight MotoGP appearances as a wild-card and replacement rider.
The most recent was as a stand-in for the injured Maverick Vinales at Portimao last November.
Despite the trauma, Espargaro was determined to ride at the track again.
“I’m so proud of Pol to face the fears,” Trevathan told Crash.net.
“[Portimao 2023] was one of the darkest moments of my career, also.”
Espargaro had already replaced Vinales at several rounds last season, performing impressively.
But nobody would have blamed him for turning down the Portimao ride. KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer also made clear there was no pressure.
However, Pol was adamant he wanted to ‘settle a score’.
“Pit told me that he really pushed Pol, saying, ‘Do you really want to do this? If you say no, we’re fine’,” Trevathan confirmed.
“Pol said, ‘I’ve got a demon there that I need to settle a score with’.
“And he did fantastically that weekend.”
“The fastest test rider in the world”
Espargaro’s Portimao return began ominously when he fell in the opening minutes of free practice.
Fortunately, he was unscathed, and the accident helped clear his mind.
“Psychologically, it was so important to reach the pit box back on my bike after my small crash this morning,” said Espargaro.
“It gave me the confidence I needed for the remainder of the day, because obviously, the last time I crashed here was bad.”
Espargaro went on to take fifth in FP1, reach Q2 directly as the second-best KTM rider behind Acosta, then qualify tenth, a position he held in both the Sprint and grand prix.
“As a guy coming in [as a replacement], honestly, it’s truly impressive,” Trevathan said of Espargaro’s performances.
“I think we have the fastest test rider in the world. That’s absolutely clear for everyone.
“And what I really love is just the calmness he has about him now when he’s going riding, and the smile.
“Because he was a guy who pumped himself up so much and [really felt] the anxiety and everything else.
“Now the pressure’s gone… He’s really enjoying it.”
Espargaro, 34, remains a KTM test and replacement rider for 2026, while also working as a TV pundit and mentoring Moto2 title contender Dani Holgado.
Trevathan and Acosta kicked off this season with a Sprint victory in Portimao, with the 21-year-old holding third in the world championship heading into the opening European round at Jerez later this month.
In this article
More News
KTM details Pedro Acosta’s new MotoGP approach: “There was no middle ground”
Maverick Vinales has successful surgery, but MotoGP comeback timeline unclear
MotoGP manufacturers “happy” after crunch Liberty meeting, 2027 rider deals imminent?
Guenther Steiner eyeing major Tech3 MotoGP change for 2027?
Bastianini: Zarco clash, airbag drama and “great to watch” Marquez battle at US MotoGP
Pedro Acosta: Bezzecchi clash “racing”, but Martin pass “not a mistake”
Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter
Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox
For more information see our Privacy Policy
KTM MotoGP crew chief Paul Trevathan reflects on Pol Espargaro’s brave return to Portimao, scene of his 2023 injuries.
Paul Trevathan, Pedro Acosta’s Red Bull KTM crew chief, had extra reason to celebrate last year’s double podium at the Portuguese MotoGP.
Further down the order, Trevathan’s former rider Pol Espargaro crossed the line in tenth after “facing his fears” at the circuit where he suffered a career-changing accident in 2023.
Trevathan and Espargaro formed a close bond during the early years of KTM’s MotoGP project, culminating in the Spaniard scoring five podiums and finishing fifth in the 2020 standings.
After two seasons at Repsol Honda, Espargaro then returned to KTM via Tech3, reuniting with Trevathan.
Aiming to pick up where they left off, disaster struck during practice for the Portimao season opener, where Espargaro suffered ten fractures – to his neck, vertebrae, ribs and jaw – plus a lung injury, after striking an unprotected barrier.
The vertebrae damage left Espargaro 1.5cm shorter, while the jaw injuries required his mouth to be wired shut for a month.
“I looked in the mirror, and it was not my face, not my body. You do not recognise yourself, and that was hard,” Espargaro recalled.
The damage kept Espargaro sidelined until after the summer break. Even then, he was far from fit, scoring only occasional points before handing his ride to rising star Acosta for 2024.
Espargaro slotted into a KTM test riding role, where he has since made eight MotoGP appearances as a wild-card and replacement rider.
The most recent was as a stand-in for the injured Maverick Vinales at Portimao last November.
Despite the trauma, Espargaro was determined to ride at the track again.
“I’m so proud of Pol to face the fears,” Trevathan told Crash.net.
“[Portimao 2023] was one of the darkest moments of my career, also.”
Espargaro had already replaced Vinales at several rounds last season, performing impressively.
But nobody would have blamed him for turning down the Portimao ride. KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer also made clear there was no pressure.
However, Pol was adamant he wanted to ‘settle a score’.
“Pit told me that he really pushed Pol, saying, ‘Do you really want to do this? If you say no, we’re fine’,” Trevathan confirmed.
“Pol said, ‘I’ve got a demon there that I need to settle a score with’.
“And he did fantastically that weekend.”
“The fastest test rider in the world”
Espargaro’s Portimao return began ominously when he fell in the opening minutes of free practice.
Fortunately, he was unscathed, and the accident helped clear his mind.
“Psychologically, it was so important to reach the pit box back on my bike after my small crash this morning,” said Espargaro.
“It gave me the confidence I needed for the remainder of the day, because obviously, the last time I crashed here was bad.”
Espargaro went on to take fifth in FP1, reach Q2 directly as the second-best KTM rider behind Acosta, then qualify tenth, a position he held in both the Sprint and grand prix.
“As a guy coming in [as a replacement], honestly, it’s truly impressive,” Trevathan said of Espargaro’s performances.
“I think we have the fastest test rider in the world. That’s absolutely clear for everyone.
“And what I really love is just the calmness he has about him now when he’s going riding, and the smile.
“Because he was a guy who pumped himself up so much and [really felt] the anxiety and everything else.
“Now the pressure’s gone… He’s really enjoying it.”
Espargaro, 34, remains a KTM test and replacement rider for 2026, while also working as a TV pundit and mentoring Moto2 title contender Dani Holgado.
Trevathan and Acosta kicked off this season with a Sprint victory in Portimao, with the 21-year-old holding third in the world championship heading into the opening European round at Jerez later this month.
Paul Trevathan, Pedro Acosta’s Red Bull KTM crew chief, had extra reason to celebrate last year’s double podium at the Portuguese MotoGP.
Further down the order, Trevathan’s former rider Pol Espargaro crossed the line in tenth after “facing his fears” at the circuit where he suffered a career-changing accident in 2023.
Trevathan and Espargaro formed a close bond during the early years of KTM’s MotoGP project, culminating in the Spaniard scoring five podiums and finishing fifth in the 2020 standings.
After two seasons at Repsol Honda, Espargaro then returned to KTM via Tech3, reuniting with Trevathan.
Aiming to pick up where they left off, disaster struck during practice for the Portimao season opener, where Espargaro suffered ten fractures – to his neck, vertebrae, ribs and jaw – plus a lung injury, after striking an unprotected barrier.
The vertebrae damage left Espargaro 1.5cm shorter, while the jaw injuries required his mouth to be wired shut for a month.
“I looked in the mirror, and it was not my face, not my body. You do not recognise yourself, and that was hard,” Espargaro recalled.
The damage kept Espargaro sidelined until after the summer break. Even then, he was far from fit, scoring only occasional points before handing his ride to rising star Acosta for 2024.
Espargaro slotted into a KTM test riding role, where he has since made eight MotoGP appearances as a wild-card and replacement rider.
The most recent was as a stand-in for the injured Maverick Vinales at Portimao last November.
Despite the trauma, Espargaro was determined to ride at the track again.
“I’m so proud of Pol to face the fears,” Trevathan told Crash.net.
“[Portimao 2023] was one of the darkest moments of my career, also.”
Espargaro had already replaced Vinales at several rounds last season, performing impressively.
But nobody would have blamed him for turning down the Portimao ride. KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer also made clear there was no pressure.
However, Pol was adamant he wanted to ‘settle a score’.
“Pit told me that he really pushed Pol, saying, ‘Do you really want to do this? If you say no, we’re fine’,” Trevathan confirmed.
“Pol said, ‘I’ve got a demon there that I need to settle a score with’.
“And he did fantastically that weekend.”
“The fastest test rider in the world”
Espargaro’s Portimao return began ominously when he fell in the opening minutes of free practice.
Fortunately, he was unscathed, and the accident helped clear his mind.
“Psychologically, it was so important to reach the pit box back on my bike after my small crash this morning,” said Espargaro.
“It gave me the confidence I needed for the remainder of the day, because obviously, the last time I crashed here was bad.”
Espargaro went on to take fifth in FP1, reach Q2 directly as the second-best KTM rider behind Acosta, then qualify tenth, a position he held in both the Sprint and grand prix.
“As a guy coming in [as a replacement], honestly, it’s truly impressive,” Trevathan said of Espargaro’s performances.
“I think we have the fastest test rider in the world. That’s absolutely clear for everyone.
“And what I really love is just the calmness he has about him now when he’s going riding, and the smile.
“Because he was a guy who pumped himself up so much and [really felt] the anxiety and everything else.
“Now the pressure’s gone… He’s really enjoying it.”
Espargaro, 34, remains a KTM test and replacement rider for 2026, while also working as a TV pundit and mentoring Moto2 title contender Dani Holgado.
Trevathan and Acosta kicked off this season with a Sprint victory in Portimao, with the 21-year-old holding third in the world championship heading into the opening European round at Jerez later this month.
[analyse_source url=”http://crash.net/motogp/feature/1092958/1/one-darkest-moments-trevathan-proud-pol-settled-portimao-score-exclusive”]