If there is a motorcycle that we did not expect at such a celebration, it is the KTM. Or at least the RC16 of Pol Espargaró who once again filled his employers with joy. His progress compared to last year at the same place can be described as a leap forward. Here he is in Q2, if the rain forecast for Saturday in Texas confirms his arrival. The only downside to this beautiful course, however, is the state of the Austin track. Johann Zarco's teammate warns: riding there in a group will be dangerous...
Pol Espargaro completed the Texas track in FP2 2,7 seconds faster than the previous year, which put him up 16 places. He was legitimately delighted with the work accomplished. But he wasn't the only one. The Spaniard expected this scenario even less as he insisted on Thursday that his RC16 had little taste for the track of the Grand Prix of the Americas. And this, from his birth. But the skepticism was apparently unfounded. Pol first obtained a perfect 6th place in FP1 and the Spaniard then climbed to seventh position in the general classification of the day, losing only 0,5o7 seconds on the best time of Maverick Vinales.
Pete Beirer, director of sport at KTM, already declared at the end of FP1: “ Pol rode 1,6 seconds faster than in FP1 in 2018, and Johann Zarco is at least 0,3 seconds faster than last year on the Tech3 Yamaha. These are my references ».
During the second free practice session in Texas, Pol Espargaro pushed the 4 hp V280-KTM even harder. He rode 2s772 seconds faster than last year in the same exercise which he then finished 23rd. zarco finished 17th in this second session riding 0,442 seconds under his time with the 2018 Yamaha. He was then 13th.
« I am very satisfied because I did not expect such a result here », exulted Pol Espargaro. " It was a crazy day. We were already in the top ten in the morning. Also in the afternoon we behaved well. It's amazing how much we have improved compared to 2018. At that time we lost 2,5 seconds on the first day, today only 0,5 secondse.
This seventh place is really significant. It shows how quickly our lottery is improving. If the weather forecast comes true and it really rains on Saturday morning, I can go straight to Q2 and fight for the first twelve places on the grid. But let's wait for Saturday. In any case, we will really push in the qualifications ».
Pol Espargaro adds however on the state of the Austin track “ This track is in poor condition. This is not the quality of a track surface we are used to in MotoGP. Already last year the surface was bumpy, but this year it became unbearable. It is very bad. In the race, the bikes will shake, there will be more turbulence if you ride in a group. It will be dangerous. We need to talk seriously to the Safety Commission ". His brother Aleix was in unison: “ if nothing changes, we shouldn't come here anymore ».
