At KTM, we are torn between several feelings and we try to remain calm and discerning. So, while Johann Zarco threw in the towel before the end of the race at Assen complaining about his right forearm, Pol Espargaró gritted his teeth with a bad wrist to go through the 26 laps of the race in eleventh position. Comparison is certainly not right, but at KTM, we still have a certain idea of the situation…
Even handicapped by an injury, Pol Espargaro stays above the rest of the other drivers KTM in better shape than him. The Spaniard made his Dutch Grand Prix with an injured wrist following a fall on the Montmeló track, suffered during the test after the Catalan Grand Prix. His situation is thus described by the team manager Mike leitner : " Pol was at the doctor after the Barcelona test. We had another x-ray here in the paddock. On Friday we carried out a magnetic resonance examination at Assen Hospital, because we found that there was fluid in the wrist, it was inflamed and irritated. Doctors say it can really hurt for another three or four weeks ».
He adds : " after FP1, I didn't believe we could race today with Pol for 26 laps. He really suffered in the race on Sunday. It's really great, we're really happy with him. This weekend really brought the latest proof that Pol really gives us energy ».
The person concerned recounts his ordeal thus: “ I just wanted to finish the race. On Friday, I thought it was impossible. Saturday, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. With enough painkillers, I felt better on Sunday and was able to finish the race. It wasn't the result I would have liked, but after just twelve rounds the pain got worse. Also, Rossi forced me out in the last corner, which caused me to lose contact with Miller. I finished eleventh, not far from the top ten. Plus I was faster than 2018 and I'm even better KTM ". He is also still in the top 10 overall and has scored points for the eighth time this season in eight races.
MotoGP Assen J3: classification
