Aleix Espargaró takes stock of his first part of the 2021 MotoGP season and he is torn between two feelings. On the one hand, there is the satisfaction of enjoying the best RS-GP that Aprilia has released since its involvement in the category. The elder of the two Espargaró brothers has already collected 61 points in the World Championship and occupies eighth place overall. But on the other hand there is also some frustration, because the top 5 has not yet been reached. And the Spaniard explains why…
The Aprilia official Aleix Espargaró, and in fact the only driver of the brand capable of developing the RS-GP project while putting it at the forefront in Grand Prix, left Assen for a well-deserved vacation with the noble feeling of duty accomplished, but also with a taste of unfinished business in the mouth. Eighth, after a bitter battle with bagnaia, and above all, at the end, with a Marc Marquez having moved up from 20th place, he has nothing to reproach himself for. However, he gets tired of always making the same observation upon arrival: “ dn the races, we always shuttle between places 6 to 8. We have not been able to advance any further, we hit a wall ».
And the Spaniard knows what it would take to cross it. He had plenty of time to study what his bike was missing while battling with the Ducati de bagnaia, then against the Honda of Marc Marquez… « I'm happy with the pace of the race. But there is also some frustration. I feel ready for a podium. I can overtake in the race, but my engine is limited. I was much stronger than Bagnaia. But then I was mostly stuck behind him. In the middle of the race and at the end I found myself stuck behind some drivers »
Aleix Espargaro: “j’ai fait mon meilleur tour quand j’étais seul”
Aleix Espargaró Explain : " I did my best trick when I was alone. When I was behind Bagnaia I just couldn't pass him ". Incidentally, this is a remark often heard when a pilot wants to exceed a Ducati…But for Aleix, there was also a Honda : " I know that Marc Marquez is strong in duels. Marc and I were stronger than Pecco. When Marc pulls the bike down the straight, he's like a rocket. I gave him four or five laps to overtake Bagnaia. In the last lap, I gave everything to catch him and I achieved my best lap ».
But in view of the finish, at the chicane, it's the official Honda who imposed himself on his counterpart at Aprilia who will now take a well-deserved vacation: “ we are satisfied. We are in 8th place in the championship with 61 points. We come from far away, we must take advantage of it too. But we need to improve the engine side. During the holidays, I will do two or three motorcycle races. Then I'm going to relax a bit and spend time with my family. It's the best way to relax. I hope we still have updates, because we are very close to the top ". Aleix Espargaró will reunite with his team on August 6 at the Red Bull Ring. In the meantime, perhaps he will have learned the name of his future teammate in 2022. Between Dovizioso, Casa Particular in Viñales or always Savadori, we can expect anything, and especially since the list is not exhaustive…
MotoGP Assen J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
