Aleix Espargaró once again came close to finally scoring a top 5 in Aprilia's MotoGP adventure during an Austrian Grand Prix where he finished, three laps from the goal, in second place. Downright ! But it was because the rain had just upset the cards that the Spaniard identified as those from the game of poker. He went all-in on the table at the Red Bull Ring with his slick tires mounted on his RS-GP. But the bluff was not taken…
Aleix Espargaró emerges with his head held high from this double campaign in Austria during which, as a maverick, he showed that theAprilia RS-GP deserved the full attention of a pilot like Maverick Vinales. He was in seventh place three laps before the heavy rain started. A position which transformed into second when, with the exception of Brad Binder in front of him, the riders ranked ahead of him entered the pits to change bikes.
But in the last lap and a half, the eldest I will espargaro was swallowed up by the entire peloton, well equipped for rainy conditions. Finally, it all ended with a top 10. “ My start was good, but on the first lap the bike was slow on the straight, a lot of riders overtook me. It was frustrating, especially in fifth and sixth gear » remembers the one who had no teammate during this meeting.
« I then felt better lap after lap in the race, I overtook many drivers, including Oliveira. I caught Binder too and I was faster than him. My pace was similar to that of the best. I was then in 6th or 7th place. When it started to rain, I decided to play poker ».
« I saw second place with three laps to go. I knew the rain was coming. I then risked a little more in certain parts when it was a little drier, this was in the downhill corners before the start and finish. It was wet before turn 1 ».
Aleix Espargaro: “our bike is 90% perfect on all tracks”
« On the last lap I went off the track, unfortunately it was bad luck. Both wheels locked, even though I braked almost halfway down the straight. I rolled towards the wall. It was the risk that unfortunately didn't work out, it was bad luck. But I was satisfied with my dry track race » he adds
He finishes : " our bike is 90% perfect on all tracks. I would like to get a podium on a dry track. There's no one who likes riding slicks on wet tracks. I hate riding on wet tarmac, but I was brave. The guys in front of me weren't any faster than me. But actually we have to be happy with how we behave now on dry tracks ».
MotoGP Austria J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
