Let's talk MotoGP: Aleix Espargaró is one of the greatest

What a gem. At Silverstone, Aleix Espargaró produced a score that was close to 20/20. It's been quite a while since we've seen such a great race from a rider other than Pecco Bagnaia. Everything was there. Certainly one of the benchmark performances in MotoGP at the start of this decade. In 2023, it is clearly time to consider Aleix Espargaró as a great, a very great driver. Analysis.

 

A success that we no longer dared to expect

 

The qualities of his machine have been identified for a long time, and we advised you, a few days before the race, to carefully monitor the Noale firm near Silverstone. It was here that he scored the brand's first podium in 2021. More generally, the long curves, the changes in angles as well as the flat braking transform the RS-GP into a war machine. As proof, the four finished in the top 10, including three very well placed. As is the case with Rio Hondo hot springs or to Assen, circuits with similar profiles, we had the right to expect great Aleix. But at this point, there was reason to be surprised.

 

 

First, because he is not in the season of his life. Despite a beautiful weekend in the Netherlands, Aleix is ​​slowly approaching retirement at the age of 34. Moreover, he has already mentioned it, with a possible departure at the end of 2024. To talk about it is to already be there a little. Without taking this parameter into account, it seemed less incisive than in 2022, and also less regular.

Then, to enter the British meeting, the qualifications were missed, purely and simply. The Spaniard was not at ease, and even quite furious with the race management at the end of the session, judging that there was too much water on the track. Last in the Q2 group, he started from 12th position for the Sprint, which he finished fifth. A good result, but nothing transcendent, these conditions facilitate the ascents. However, in the evening, Aleix knows it, and says it: “Tomorrow, I think we can play for victory”.

 

His best career performance?

 

And he was right. What he achieved is hard to believe when you think about it. At 34, he makes his best copy here, in front of the Argentine Grand Prix 2022, but even better, in front of the Dutch Grand Prix 2022, which we believe was the greatest race of his life. After Sunday, there is no longer any hesitation to be had.

Already, the explosion and elimination capacity. Even if the MotoGP is more competitive these days, winning from that far away is very rare. Chris Vermeulen was the last to have done so Mans in 2007, but in the rain. Then, you have to make your way against very fast drivers, and above all, at a more homogeneous level than ever. Clearly, anyone who has followed his career from beginning to end knows that he is one of the best in traffic, but it was particularly evident here.

Then, management. Installed behind Pecco Bagnaia, he had to manage the pressure of his tires but also the condition of the track while preparing his attack. He had the confidence to wait until the last lap to try, based on experience, to overtake in the change of angle of Maggots-Becketts, one of the most legendary in motor sports.

Here, several trajectories are possible but once you miss the one you initially chose, your turn is ruined. Aleix Espargaró took care to pack Pecco Bagnaia (reigning world champion and one of the best in duels) at the entrance of Maggots, to force him to slow down further in Becketts. At the exit of Chapel, the final corner of the complex, there was game, set and match.

 

 

It is difficult to take back one's counterpart in Stowe, the turn at the end of Shed Straight, because you have to maintain a lot of speed – ask Marco Bezzecchi. There remains the chicane “ Club ", and it's over. Theoretically, it is possible to attempt the blockpass here in Bagnaia's position but it is still dangerous, and not sure to work. Given that it's a piff-paf and not a pin, diving inside means losing everything on the way out, so Aleix Espargaró, better placed on the outside in this specific case, would have had the advantage in the slight curve to the right which ends the round. At this point in the season, Pecco would have had no interest in attempting such a risky maneuver. The execution was perfect and it's rare to see that, even at the highest level in the world.

 

 

The title was not misleading: Aleix Espargaró is one of the greatest of all time

 

Let's take five minutes to think instead ofAleix Espargaro in history. In fact, we have already written a lot on this subject, notably in an article that you can find in by clicking here. Note that it had not yet won a single race when it was published.

Because that's exactly what it's all about: Meven if we take away his successes, he is a driver who scores, with numerous references. Aragon 2014, among others, and now, Silverstone 2022. In total, there are at least five, which few can boast of having. Without doubt, it will remain the incarnation of the Aprilia epic in MotoGP, without any possible dispute. Yes, he is vocal, and you can hear him complaining, but notice that it is very often in the direction of the pilots.

Beyond its great image, we must add longevity to its record. Aleix Espargaró is the sixth driver with the most Grand Prix starts behind Thomas Luthi, Simone Courses, Loris Capirossi, Andrea Dovizioso et Valentino Rossi. Who in this list was stronger than Aleix after 300 starts? Valentino Rossi in 2014? Not sure. Andrea Dovizioso in 2019? No more. Rossi was certainly better in 2015, and 2017 is debatable. In the case of “DesmoDovi”, there is a match because of his place as vice-champion, but we must take into account the equipment that the Italian benefited from. let's remember that Dovizioso finished with the same number of victories asAlex Rins on Suzuki. Here, Aleix rides the third best machine in the field, and achieves a huge performance, superior, in our opinion and to make the comparison, to this somewhat miraculous overtaking of Dovizioso on Márquez in the last corner at the Red Bull Ring.

Of course, there are more races these days, but the sport is much more physical as well. Clearly, we are not far from affirming thatAleix Espargaró has one of the best longevity in the history of our sport, no more, no less, added to the rest. His talent, his grinta, his intrinsic speed, his racing IQ, his ability to adapt (the best of all time? The debate exists, Mamola, Lawson and Fogarty have their say) and many other parameters which we have come back to at length and breadth in other articles.

This is just our opinion, but we must seriously take into consideration the legacy of Aleix Espargaró, and simply appreciate a grandiose driver, capable of strokes of genius. It is true that the next tracks may be less adapted to his mount, but despite everything, his place is already cemented no matter what happens until he retires.

Do you share our opinion? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport