We were waiting for Aleix Espargaró in this Qatar Grand Prix which was finally to show what important result the new Aprilia RS-GP was likely to bring. Since the start of the brand's MotoGP adventure, it has never done better than sixth. With this latest weapon, it seems to have the means to surpass this milestone. It was expected last Sunday at Losail, but the elder Espargaró could not do better than seventh. He explains why, with the satisfaction of having kept his younger brother Pol and his Honda right behind him…
Aleix Espargaró finished seventh in the first Grand Prix MotoGP from the year to Qatar. For an official Aprilia, it's not that bad in absolute terms but we perhaps expected a little better due to a new RS GP which had shown promise for a podium during testing. However, the Spaniard refutes this taste of unfinished business. And insists on the fact that Noale's new opus is indeed satisfying. He says : " 7th place shows our test results were not a coincidence ».
Of which act. It remains that the pilot of 31 years old experienced some harassment which deprived him of a better rank: “ you still have to learn a few things, especially at the start of the race with a full tank, I suffered a little. I lost a lot of ground during this phase, but I was able to overtake a few opponents in the middle of the race. In the end I was in the chase group, but at this point in the race the front tire was at the end ».
And then there was the wind… “ It's not an excuse, but it was a huge problem for me. This new bike is significantly more competitive. We improved stability and downforce significantly improved acceleration. But already in the warm-up on Sunday morning, I suffered a lot from the wind. I was very fast in qualifying at turns 7, 8 and 9, and finished third in this sector. I lost a lot of time there on Sunday. I wasn't competitive at all there. I found it very difficult to turn the bike. Hopefully we will have less wind next Sunday » comments the one who impatiently awaits the opinion of Dovizioso on his motorcycle.
Aleix Espargaró: seventh place is a good start
Exactly, next weekend, he will do it again in the same place for the Doha Grand Prix : " I'm happy, it was a solid race, and we showed that the results of the pre-season tests in Jerez and Doha did not come by chance. We are stronger than ever and able to ride with the best riders ».
« The general feeling is correct. I think we will do even better next Sunday “And he ends: “ this season it will be important to score points in all races. And that was just the first race. Mistakes happen very quickly here because of the conditions, because of the wind and the humidity. I would say it's better this way. 7th place is a good start ».
MotoGP Qatar 1 J3: classification
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
