Aleix Espargaró made a great announcement. In Sepang we had a glimpse of a MotoGP peloton that was compact to say the least and the latest tests at Mandalika confirmed that, this season, it will evolve in tight order. The values continue to become more homogeneous on this starting grid where the price of the thousandth had already taken a good increase last year. In view of this appearance, some are already announcing the most contested campaign ever seen. And this is the case of Aleix Espargaró…
21 pilots, up to Fabio Di Giannantonio of Gresini Racing MotoGP, were separated by only 0.855 at the end of the three days of testing at Mandalika. This is how the Grand Prix elite head towards the Qatar to open a new racing season which promises to be spectacular. Aleix Espargaró, the official of a factory Aprilia who left a good impression after five days of testing between Sepang and Mandalika commented: “ Last year we got the first podium of the MotoGP era, so obviously we will try to win. But it's very difficult ».
And for good reason : " I think this season will be the most difficult world championship in the history of MotoGP, because the level of bikes and riders is incredible » he points out. “ Last year we finished the world championship in 8th place “, remembers the Spaniard who scored 120 points in 18 races in 2021. “ If we're on track to get 200 points or maybe even more this year and finish in the top six, then I think that's a realistic goal ».
Aleix Espargaró: “ finishing in the top six is a realistic goale "
On his personal case, he recognizes: “ you can't expect to finish eighth in the championship one year and win the title the next year, although that's what I want, of course. But it's very, very difficult ».
Pre-season testing at Mandalika were a great success for Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Vinales of Aprilia Racing, who continued their good work since Sepang. A fantastic handling RS-GP and improvements across the board put both drivers in a very good position for Qatar, with both drivers also completing a 20-lap race simulation on the final day in Indonesia.
Aprilia tested two different chassis that were almost identical to the naked eye. P4 for the eldest Espargaró and P8 for Casa Particular in Viñales are good indicators, and all signals from the Noale camp are positive after three days of testing in Mandalika…
MotoGP Tests Mandalika: cumulative times
Credit classification motogp.com
