Aprilia has entered three riders for this Portuguese Grand Prix at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, near Portimão in Portugal, in order to continue the positive spiral in which the Noale firm has been engaged since this winter.
Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Vinales are therefore supported by Lorenzo Savadori which has, among other things, the task of validating a new rear ride height device for official riders. But among the latter, we cannot help but notice that, since the victory of Aleix I will espargaro in Argentina, the hierarchy is slowly, but surely, being reversed...
Already in the United States, the ex-Yamaha rider finished ahead of his teammate, achieving the third fastest lap in the race. The rise to power of the man from Rosas has continued today in Portugal, Maverick Casa Particular in Viñales finishing 6th in FP1, 10 places better than his teammate, then with the same gap 8th in FP2.
Simple coincidence or discomfort between Aprilia and its historic spearhead which has still not been renewed? The future will tell and, in the meantime, Top Gun ends this first day in the Algarve 12 places ahead of his senior by five years.
Officially, everything is fine everywhere, but we feel, even in the press releases, that the music does not have the same tone on both sides of the box...
Maverick Vinales: « I am happy with this first day. I didn't really look at the times but rather my feeling, and I found a good feeling even if the track was very delicate. The sensations on the RS-GP, even in the wet, were extremely good. In the afternoon it was extremely slippery but I now have good feeling on the bike in all conditions. This is my second time on a wet track with this bike and I can be fast. It is difficult to get the left side of the tires up to temperature. It's good after ten laps, but before that it's very critical, while I have a good feeling on the right side. We'll see how the weather develops tomorrow, but being in the top 10 is important anyway. I would definitely prefer to qualify and race on a dry track, but we will adapt. Gaining a good starting position will be important for us to enjoy our pace on Sunday. »
Aleix Espargaro: « It was a tough day and, given the forecast, probably unnecessary too. Conditions were difficult and even dangerous in FP2, with streams of water crossing the track. In any case, I tried to improve my feeling in the wet as I expect there to be more races in the rain, but I had to fight with extremely low grip, especially at the rear. We will have tomorrow to take a few steps forward. »
FP1/FP2 results of the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
