Pol Espargaró experienced real happiness during the last British Grand Prix at Silverstone. And to fully understand its depth and its immensity, we must listen to it and thus realize where it comes from. The crisis had set in, the corrosive doubt was eating away at his confidence and his certainties, and this bad spiral had just as much impact on his team. Before returning to Aragon, where the Hondas had not behaved so badly last year, he returned to this respite offered by England. Because he is not fooled: everything remains to be done.
Pol Espargaro took a risk last year by releasing the prey KTM for the shadow Honda. Recognized as one of the leaders of the RC16 project which he embraced from birth, he agreed to go to the duel with Marc Marquez, what's more is in his lair. The kind of challenge that pushed Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo towards retirement. The bright off-season on the RC213V initially gave good indications to the younger Espargaró who was then overtaken by reality. Before Silverstone, he regretted 15 falls, languished at the bottom of the rankings both in the championship and during the Grands Prix, and his acerbic remarks were responded to by a martial team manager Alberto puig asking him to raise his game again.
It is in this atmosphere of crisis, which would almost make the matter pass Casa Particular in Viñales with Yamaha like a squabble, that the new Repsol recruit arrived at Silverstone. And that's where, at the back of the wall, he registered at the top of the timesheet, completely conquered pole position, leading for a moment the British Grand Prix which he finished in an honorable fifth place. In one weekend, he did better than his illustrious teammate.
Pol Espargaro comes a long way and this is really felt in our analysis: “ moving to Honda was one of the most ambitious changes of my career. If you go to a team with these colors and aren't fast, a lot of people will point the finger at you », admitted the thirty-year-old. “ It was very hard and I suffered a lot. I'm still suffering, it won't change overnight ».
Pol Espargaro: “I am aware that I will not return to pole position at the next Grand Prix”
After pole position and fifth place in the race MotoGP, the youngest of the brothers I will espargaro was able to breathe a sigh of relief for the first time: “ for me it's a victory ". The real result of the 2 Moto2013 World Champion is therefore not what counted. “ It's not necessarily the pole position that makes me happy, it's the feeling of this lap. I was able to apply what I learned over the last few years and what worked. My feeling in qualifying was a small proof of what I am capable of doing with Honda. Maybe we just need a little more time for me to better understand the bike and its limitations ».
Regarding work in the box Honda, he stated : " everyone works very hard, with everything in their power. However, given the distance between Japan and Europe, it is not easy for Honda to improve the bike and adapt it to riders. Many drivers joined the team and left quickly. I feel a lot of support from the Honda family, they are all trying to help me ».
« I hope this bright spot will change the mood in the stand and give the guys some positive thoughts. I believe this gives me and the Japanese the motivation to work even harder and find solutions even in the worst situations » ends a I will espargaro which nevertheless recalls: “ I am aware that I will not return to pole position at the next Grand Prix. We must continue to work hard to achieve our goal ».
