This is an interpretation that Pol Espargaró holds dear. And this is understandable, because it leaves its mark on the history of an RC16 which is now winning Grands Prix. A legitimacy which would in no way be contested if he had been one of the two victorious on the Austrian bike in five Grands Prix contested this year. But it was his young teammate Brad Binder, with three MotoGP races under his belt, who opened Mattgihoffen's tally, thus entering the brand's history. Then Oliveira doubled down, leaving Pol Espargaró even more in the background as the merits of test driver Dani Pedrosa were sung. So he recalls that he was there at the start of the project…
Pol Espargaro leave KTM for Honda at the end of the year, but he wants to be remembered in the Austrian factory. The best way would be to achieve at least one victory, but he misses out, while his teammates make it happen. So, failing that, he reminds us that everything hasn't always been rosy with an orange motorcycle...
« It's been a roller coaster ride over the last four years. The bike was incredibly difficult the first year » recalls the youngest I will espargaro remembering the year 2017. “ We were in the first qualifications three seconds behind the leading men ».
« I still remember being at the back of the starting grid in Qatar. You could barely see the red lights on the starting lights He continues. " Everything was just very difficult. But we expected to be able to improve significantly ».
“The Honda is still a long way off, I’m enjoying the moment with KTM”
And this significant moment came last year: “ then things really happened. We felt the bike was doing better and doing very well in some races. We quickly made friends with the new tires for this year and otherwise not much has changed "Says I will espargaro.
Before the RC16 shows that it has indeed raised its game, Pol Espargaro chose to go to Honda. Does he regret this direction since the two successes of the Mattighofen car? “ My first pursuer was a Honda rider, he was closest to me » he remembers about his last Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. “ Takaaki Nakagami gave a fantastic performance. It's fast and that means the bike is good » he reassures himself.
He finishes : " but all that is still far away. I'm enjoying the moment with KTM now. The bike we built together is incredible. It works really well and we all do a good job. Next year is still far away at the moment ". This week-end, Pol Espargaro will do his best on the route of Misano who will receive the next two Grands Prix on the calendar.
