Aleix Espargaró scored his first victory after his 200th MotoGP start this Sunday at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit, in Argentina. The Aprilia rider looked back on his performance during the post-race conference, and we transcribe his entire remarks here.
Aleix, you finally managed to win for your 200th participation in MotoGP after signing your first pole position with Aprilia yesterday. Can you describe your emotions to us?
« I'm really happy, because I must say that since Qatar, even since the winter tests, I realized that I had in my hands the best machine that I have ever had in my entire career. Of course, it's always difficult to know during the preseason if this bike can allow you to fight precisely for the top 10 or the top 5. But that being said, I felt close to the headliners during each of the winter tests. Today, it was not a race fought in the wet, or a race that was decided by luck. No, I think yesterday we proved that we were the fastest in qualifying, and today it was the same in the race. All this makes me extremely happy, especially since we are probably in one of the most difficult seasons: the level of my teammate is enormous, as is that of all the manufacturers involved. I'm very happy not only for me, but also for the whole team in the paddock and in Noale. I am also very happy for my family, because at 32 I have finally achieved this goal, and I think I have deserved. »
You have gone through difficult times, not only you but also Aprilia which had a lot of difficulty returning to the premier category in 2015. When you look behind you, you must say to yourself that you did well to stick together when you live days like today...
« I'm obviously very happy to have won the race, but that doesn't change anything for me: I'm a very lucky person. My passion is my work, I have a dream family, I have everything a man could dream of. This victory won't change much in my life, but for everyone at Aprilia it's a huge step forward. I remember in 2017 when I left Suzuki to join Aprilia, no one wanted to join this team. Nobody believed in the project then, so to achieve this goal is incredible. »
You now lead the championship. Do you think you can maintain this position in the future?
« This is going to be very difficult. We are in the running for victory, that's a certainty, because as I said before we totally deserve this victory because today it wasn't a race in the wet or anything else. However, we must keep our feet on the ground, because the championship is very long this year. If we don't make any mistakes, then yes I think we can fight for the podium and the victory every weekend. I'll do everything I can in any case. I'm very happy with what we did today, but I'm already thinking about Austin, Portimão or even Jerez, and I would like to maintain this dynamic. I have entered the second part of my career because I am 32 years old, and therefore I want to finish in the best possible way. »
The final laps saw you neck and neck with Jorge Martín. How stressful have these last few loops been, knowing that you two were really close and knowing your very close friendships?
« It wasn't easy, because from the start of the race I knew that it wouldn't happen like it did in free practice, because I know very well that Jorge is a killer on Sunday. As soon as the lights go out he's a killer, and it wasn't easy for me to follow him and I made some mistakes. I touched the electronics, for example I tried to play with the traction control to save as much tire as possible for the last laps. But Jorge was very brave, as he held on for most of the race. During my career I have always made it a point of honor to overtake in a clean manner and to fight fair battles, especially when it is against a friend. But even if we would have touched each other, as may have been the case in the last races, it would have been part of the game.
»
You are in your sixth season with Aprilia. Can you tell us what has changed recently so that the team can provide you with a bike capable of winning?
« A lot has changed since 2017, but I would say the organization has changed a lot since Massimo Rivola joined us three years ago. Romano Albesiano was in charge of everything until then, but Massimo Rivola changed the organization in Noale as well as the way of working. Romano Albesiano focused more on the development of the motorcycle. The RS-GP22 is now one of the best bikes in the world, and I think therefore the organization that was put in place by Massimo was the key to our success. Our potential was there anyway, the resources were increased in recent seasons as well as the number of engineers, because in any case it would not have been possible to achieve such a result without that. But beyond that, the people who started the project are still in Noale, and that's something that makes me very happy and proud. »
Aprilia has for a long time been an undervalued manufacturer. We imagine that you appreciate the fact that you can take your revenge today.
«
I remember very well when I was at Suzuki with Maverick and I wasn't performing well. When Aprilia called me, you can't say that I was one of the fastest riders. No good pilot wanted to join this team, and no one believed in the project. So from day one I told myself I was going to try to bring this bike to the forefront, and I never thought it would have taken me this long, but finally I got there after five years. Three years ago I was trying to convince Moto2 riders to come to Aprilia, but they told me they preferred to wait until another bike was available. So all of this gave me more motivation, and I told myself that later these riders were going to remember this day when they said no to Aprilia. Yesterday, just after my pole position, the riders with whom I raced at Aprilia, namely Sam Lowes, Scott Redding and even Andrea Iannone sent me messages to tell me how happy they were for me and for Aprilia, because they know very well how difficult it was. I think there is still a lot of work to be done, but the young riders present in Moto2 and Moto3 now perceive Aprilia's project a little more seriously, and consider it as a possible viable option for their future. I think it's something good for our sport, because in fact all the manufacturers are in the game now, and you can really impose yourself with any bike. This year Ducati has already won, just like KTM, but Honda is also very strong, just like Suzuki and Yamaha. »
We are only in the third round of the season, and yet all the manufacturers have already reached the podium. What does this mean about the championship in your opinion?
«
For me it's not a surprise, because we knew since last year that we had an advantage. We certainly had the most undervalued bike, but we knew we could close the gap. A few years ago you only had two manufacturers fighting for victory, but now you have six, so it's really, really nice, fantastic. »
We saw you hug your brother Pol in the Parc Fermé. Can you describe this moment to us?
« Pol has a very different character from me, and I know how difficult it is for him when he falls. When he came to see me he was almost crying. He knows that I have a winning mentality, and that I have worked hard for it, and so I think that my victory today made his fall less painful for him. I am sad for him because he had a very good race and led a good battle against Álex Rins. It would have been nice to see him on the podium too, but in the end he came to congratulate me in the Parc Fermé, and it was very nice. »
The least we can say is that the track was very bumpy. How did you cope with this over the weekend?
«
It was really difficult honestly. Aprilia and bumps don't really go well together. I was in difficulty all weekend from this point of view, and using the ride-height device at the rear was really tricky on these rough spots. Furthermore, the track had a really low level of grip today. I don't know what this was due to: the temperature, the passing of moto2 and moto3 just before... It was difficult for everyone I think. »
When you look at your career, when you were in the Spanish speed championship you were already with your brother, but also Marc Márquez and even Tito Rabat. They all subsequently started winning races. Did this make you doubt at any point?
« It clearly hasn't been easy, but there can only be one winner. I have a dream life. I made my passion my profession. I get paid for it, and I have a wonderful family. So even if I didn't win and I encountered big difficulties, it was my job. Several times in my career I was not at the level, but other times it was quite frustrating because I was very strong but did not have the bike to obtain good results. Things are what they are, and in the end results come. Some drivers can win a title at a very young age and then disappear from traffic and return home. There are many examples like this of Moto3 and 125cc riders who are no longer competing. But for me it's the opposite, like good wine I get better with time! »
We saw you with your wife on the phone in the Parc Fermé. How important has his support been over all these years?
«
At times it has been difficult, but when I say that my wife Laura is the best support I have ever had, I am not saying something stupid, it is the strict truth. When I go home, she always manages to give me unconditional support, and I remember that in the past when I went home it was impossible for me not to think about my bad Sunday run. But over the last three or four years, she and my children have really been my strength. They gave me really positive energy. In fact I think I still drive the same way, but now I have a much more positive state of mind, and that is something that has undoubtedly been decisive.
»
In recent years, you have spoken several times about your desire to retire. Is your result today enough to encourage you to continue in the discipline?
« It's clear that it wouldn't be fair for me to stop now. I think that after all the work I have done, it would be fairer for me to continue for another year or two. I feel well enough to continue, and frankly I don't really worry about the future. I want to continue to have fun here trying to be competitive and fast. I still have enough energy to continue running, and at the same time it is very difficult for me to be away from my family. If I manage to stay ahead in the championship or be able to win races, that would make this situation more bearable. »
Do you think having only one day of testing might have helped you in any way?
« I think the running time we ended up having was more or less the same as during a normal race weekend. Of course, we had to work in a different way. Ducati has a huge number of bikes on track, so they can benefit from all the data they want and more easily establish a good setup for the race. »
When will you decide whether to retire or not?
« I would love to stay another year or two, but right now I just want to savor the present moment. I want to enjoy this bike and this moment, because I think this championship is going to be a very good opportunity for me. I don't want to think about my future right now. »
All the drivers are very happy with your victory. What does this mean to you ?
« I think it's one of the things that makes me happiest. As I had the opportunity to say before, this victory will not change my life. But seeing the way everyone reacts, in every team, it's fantastic. You can't imagine how many messages I received yesterday following my pole position. This is something very important to me because it means that people like me. I thank everyone for this. »
