Aleix Espargaró is no stranger to riding on the edge, but the Spaniard is finding that what’s acceptable on a MotoGP circuit doesn’t fly on public roads – even if you’re arguably one of the most skilled two-wheeled athletes on the planet.

A short video that surfaced this week on the Instagram account of Museu Vicenc Folgado shows a cyclist dressed in a full Lidl-Trek pro team kit bombing down the Els Àngels pass near Girona, overtaking two cars in a maneuver that drew immediate criticism for its dangerousness on a blind, fast descent. Sharp-eyed social media users quickly identified the rider as Espargaró, citing his distinctive team kit and multiple reports placing him at the top of the climb before the descent began.

The clip – just eight seconds long – spread rapidly across cycling and motorsport communities, racking up comments from riders and fans alike who questioned the wisdom of passing vehicles on a road open to traffic.

With the Espargaró tightly linked to Lidl-Trek as a brand ambassador, the pro team responded swiftly and decisively. According to Spanish newspaper El País, citing sources close to the squad, the team stated it was aware of the circulating footage and made clear that the conduct shown does not align with the values or standards that define them as an organization. The team then confirmed they are addressing the situation directly with Espargaró.

It’s a thorny moment for the 36-year-old from Granollers, who has long been known for his passion for cycling – logging as many as 20,000 km a year on the bike during his MotoGP career, a number more typical of a professional cyclist than a motorcycle racer. Despite harboring genuine ambitions of racing at the pro cycling level, Espargaró fell short of that goal last year and ultimately shelved those dreams to refocus on his role as a MotoGP test rider at Honda’s request.

This isn’t the first time a high-profile rider has faced consequences after a reckless descent went viral. Francisco Galvan’s cycling career ended abruptly last year when he was dismissed by the Spanish Kern Pharma team for the same type of dangerous riding. It’s a reminder that for amateur and semi-pro cyclists, fame cuts both ways – cameras are everywhere, and the road is not a racetrack.

Espargaró and Honda have yet to comment publicly on the incident.

Photo Credit: Instagram/museumotosfolgado

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