MotoGP Test Jerez Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia/6): damage, but it's okay!

With the lasting suspension of an Andrea Iannone who now knows that his place is coveted by Cal Crutchlow, Aleix Espargaró is the one who carries the development of the new RS-GP at arm's length. A bike that promises, since the Spaniard knocked on the doors of the top 5 today in Jerez with it, but there are still teething problems to resolve. It was better that they performed this Wednesday during the test. But the two broken engines from the Noale manufacturer annoyed the competition, notably with this oil on which Alex Marquez, Danilo Petrucci and his brother Pol slipped…

Aleix Espargaró was torn between two feelings when cooling off after a torrid day spent in the Jerez furnace. On the one hand, he was happy with his overall performance with an RS-GP which adapted well to the new tires Michelin . But there were also major breakdowns, which he would like to put aside from now on as bad memories... He finished his performance with a time of 1'38.285.

« Unfortunately we had some problems. We were unable to test the motor at full load. There was a problem with a motorbike in the afternoon and I hope it doesn't happen again. I felt good in the afternoon, not super fast, but good. Performance was good with the tire over 20 laps, we can drive up front. I believe we still have something in store in the engine department. It's very promising »

The Spaniard adds: “ the coronavirus crisis hardly gave us the opportunity to further develop the motorcycle. The bike was almost the same as in Doha during the test. We could not work as we hoped in Qatar. I hope we can progress in the next races and improve for 2021 »

“It will certainly be very hot and demanding”

The one who now shares the box with Bradley Smith makes a mention about track conditions: “ it's very, very hot. I think my hands were a million degrees, the bike is very hot and very demanding on the rider. But they did a good job with the asphalt here. However, many drivers were very competitive in the 1'37 and 1'38 min zone. This means that the asphalt is really very good. But it is very hot and the course is very demanding. You need to be fit for these days. I like to go to the physical limits. Racing drivers must be fit and genuine athletes and not just post training photos on Instagram. It will definitely be very hot and demanding »

The Andorran finishes on the new Michelin rear tire: “ It works well. My bike is similar to the Yamaha, different from the Honda, KTM or Ducati. It took us a little longer to work on the speed in the corners, but it's my favorite style. I can keep the software a little longer on a quick ride. I then completed 20 consecutive laps at track temperatures of around 60 degrees and was still in 1'38. The tire is great, Michelin did a good job. It looked very different two years ago. We only rode 1'42 or even 1'43 in the last part of the race. » The return to the track will take place this Friday.