MotoGP, Sepang J2 Test, if the Aprilia has evolved, Aleix Espargaró has not changed: "it would have been better to stay in the hotel and watch Netflix"

Aleix Espargaró did not have a good second day at Sepang for his tests for the 2023 MotoGP season. His final ranking speaks for itself: a modest 20th place out of 23 drivers listed on the timesheet. Incidentally, his teammate Maverick Viñales is only 18th so that Aprilia's honor was saved by its new drivers from the RNF satellite team, Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira. But for the oldest on the starting grid, there is an explanation for this. And here it is.

Aleix Espargaró began by explaining his Saturday in Malaysia in this way : " a very bad day. It would have been better to stay at the hotel and watch Netflix ". So if the RS-GP evolves, the Spaniard doesn't change. Like everyone else, he first had to wait until the wet and greasy track had dried in the morning and acquired enough grip before starting his work.

But when the fourth in the 2022 World Championship was finally able to put in a fast lap, he lost the front of his Aprilia at 180 km/h in turn 12… “ I hit the handlebars so I had a problem with the front brake which didn't work for a while. I missed the perfect line, went far and fell » Soberly comments Pol's brother, third in today's standings.

**Aleix Espargaró: “apart from Ducati, I don't see any other brand that would be superior to us"**

When the mechanicsAprilia repaired his motorcycle, Aleix Espargaró returned to combat before after only one turn it started to rain again… “ We wanted to test fairing parts, but we were not able to carry out this program in the rain ", did he declare.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard of 33 years has drawn up a cautiously positive interim assessment: “ the bike has matured in all respects, with small improvements everywhere, a lighter chassis, further optimized aerodynamics and a slightly faster engine. Another adjustment step is already being tested and will be available to us during the races »

Then he finishes: “ I don't know yet if it's enough to fight at the forefront of the world championship. Apart from Ducati, I don't see any other brand that would be superior to us. But Ducati is a tough guy. They have a lot of good pilots and a motorcycle that is one step ahead of everyone ". Tomorrow Sunday will already be the last opportunity to make further progress for the next campaign.