MotoGP Spain J3 Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia/5): “we always complain about the way sanctions are applied”

Aleix Espargaró is disappointed at not having been able to get more out of this Spanish Grand Prix in terms of results, despite his Aprilia, which was taking stock of its battle in Jerez. Because there was indeed a battle in this Sunday race where the jousts were as numerous and virile as during a Saturday Sprint event. Except that, this time, the commissioners handed out sanctions for facts which, since the start of the season, did not shock them that much. A movement of the pendulum that the oldest member of the starting grid comments on, but not only that…

Before tackling this sensitive subject, Aleix Espargaro assessed the situation of an RS-GP which is beginning to lift the veil on its qualities and faults. With a pole position acquired, one would have thought that Noale's missile would have flourished over the distance of a traditional Grand Prix, since the Sprint seemed to him to be too restricted a space-time to express his qualities.

But actually not at all. Saturday and Sunday featured the same protagonists for the podium, with a different order. For Aleix Espargaró, the difficulties encountered were identical. Which leads him to question the corrective actions to be taken…

Because the fact is that, this Sunday, the “captain” of Noale, starting from pole position, did not manage to get the best start and, stuck in traffic, he was unable to make the necessary overtakes to embark on the fight for victory. A feeling of déjà vu. And for good reason, the unfolding of the facts had already been noted on Saturday in the Sprint race...

Aleix Espargaró on the Aprilia does Quartararo on the Yamaha in the text: “the bike is fine when I ride alone »

« Today I gave everything » assures the teammate of a Maverick Vinales who gave up on the last lap… because of a broken chain! And he adds these words which seem to come straight out of a speech by fabio quartararo about his Yamaha ... " The bike is fine when I ride alone, when Zarco crashed, I rode fast. We need to improve on this. It's not just a question of temperature, it's more a problem of aerodynamics and we have to study the question carefully. We also need to improve the start ».

« It was important to finish the race. Fifth doesn't make me very happy but we brought home points. We are doing a good job, I'm in love with this bike, I can ride fast but I lose racing performance when I'm with others and I don't understand why » he insists. “ It's hard to find a solution if you don't know the reason. We will continue to work. Ducati and KTM have taken a big step forward. When I was in the slipstream, I braked first but couldn't stop the bike. It also compromises speed. We hope to find a solution ».

He ends with what we must call the new commissioners' policy in terms of evaluating what is or is not dangerous and harmful piloting. The team of Freddie Spencer apparently, this Sunday in Jerez, seriously lowered its tolerance threshold… “ I didn't see the reasons for Fabio Quartararo's penalty. Better not to watch accidents while waiting for departure »Comments Aleix Espargaró before adding: “ I saw Pecco Bagnaia's action, it was a bit on the edge, but today he was very strong so he caught up. We always complain about the way sanctions are applied, but if we know where the limit is then ok. But it must always be the same everywhere and for everyone » now finishes thirteenth in the championship, 58 lengths behind the leader and winner of the Spanish Grand Prix Pecco Bagnaia.

MotoGP Spain J3: classification 

Credit motogp.com