The Aprilias are totally absent from the debates this weekend. They have never been in the running, and this bad dynamic has continued for several races already. Aleix Espargaro is having a bad time in Malaysia, especially in the race, where he does not seem able to do anything to maintain his position. Three retirements away, Aleix is no longer there, and prefers a thousand times to comment on this magnificent race for the title that Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia are offering us. Like everyone else, he was greatly impressed by the two protagonists of this season today, especially in qualifying.
Aleix Espargaro could hardly believe it. When Q2 started, both of them gave us a very high-flying show. « We just have to applaud Bagnaia and Martin because I have rarely seen such a gap between the two and the rest as today.. In qualifying I had a problem with the bike, I followed it from the garage. It surprises me to see them so focused and calm compared to last year. But that's how they have to do it, that's how Martin can win the title. With Bagnaia as a rival, you can't let your guard down. » the Spaniard said to the microphones of GP One.
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
He did not achieve an incredible performance, but we clearly feel that he is less involved since his last victory in the Sprint, at home, on the Barcelona track. « I am happy with the calm I had in the race. From the morning I knew I could get through to Q2, but I had this technical problem. During the race I was able to overtake other Aprilias and then get closer to the KTMs. But I couldn't overtake Rins because it was starting to get too hot, and when it's like that, the bike doesn't move forward anymore." he continued. This problem has been going on for a long time on the RS-GP.
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
True to his values, he could not help but have a word for his country and the city of Valencia, violently hit by floods in recent days. « We don't really realize what's going on there.. It affects me and I am very sad, and it is true that it happens everywhere in the world, but when it affects your close environment, it hurts even more. It would be nice to do some shopping and raise money for them.. After all, we are Roman gladiators, we will see what we can do." he concluded.
What do you think of the Aprilia this weekend? Tell us in the comments!
2024 Malaysian Grand Prix Sprint Result:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
