MotoGP Test Valencia Pol Espargaró (GASGAS/17): “m…., I love this bike! »

Pol Espargaró found an RC16 that he had no qualms about abandoning, two years ago, by joining the ranks of Honda for an RC213V that he then thought would be the tool to take his career to the firmament. We know the rest and during the Valencia test which sealed the reconciliation with KTM, the Austrian motorcycle, decorated with GASGAS, showed that it was not resentful. The 31-year-old Spanish driver responded with a radiant good humor which brought a smile to the entire Tech3 team, including his boss Hervé Poncharal. Hope it lasts…

At the I will espargaro, from Aleix the eldest to Pol the youngest, we are distinguished by an entire character which oscillates between overflowing and communicative enthusiasm and deep and bitter disappointment. In Valencia, on November 8, it was the first version that Pol Espargaro offered by regaining his bearings not only among the staff KTM but also Tech3, a team he knew while it was still playing under the colors Yamaha .

The Spaniard thus found the bike that gave him the most satisfaction in MotoGP, after two very bad years with Honda. At the end of this first pre-season test of 2023, organized at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, the Catalan completed a total of 86 laps to finish 16th, seven tenths behind the reference driver on the timesheet, Luca marini. The Tech3 GASGAS Factory driver returned home with a best time of 1'30.757, just two tenths slower than the fastest lap recorded last Saturday during Q1 of the Valencia Grand Prix, where he qualified 22nd on the grid with a time of 1'30.936 aboard his Honda.

Pol Espargaro: “ the bike has changed a lot, but its DNA is still very similar« 

The pilot of 31 years enjoyed his return to the helm of the KTM and on motogp.com he described Tuesday as “very positive”. “ It's always pleasant and positive to working again with old friends and people you've known in the past “, Pol said Tuesday afternoon in Valencia. “ I had a good time. It's clear we're a long way from where we want to be, but it's a good start, I haven't had any crashes or encountered any major problems., I found myself very comfortable working with new people ».

During Espargaró's first laps with the RC16 of the Tech3 GASGAS team, the Spaniard performed a series of very striking gestures which were captured by Dorna's cameras. Here is his explanation: “ I'm hot-blooded, I need to express what I feel at all times. Maybe I did it too soon. As I have said, it's like meeting an old friend ". During his first lap in the pits, he also made this simple comment: “ Damn, I love this bike! »...

Concerning the RC16, the youngest of I will espargaro claims that the motorcycle “ changed a lot » compared to the prototype that he left in 2020, but at the same time he was able to find the same driving style that he never managed to reproduce on the Honda : " it's true that she has changed a lot, but her DNA is still very similar. I was able to do what I used to do with it, apply my pure riding style, and it's very pleasant ».

Pol and the factory team Tech3 GASGAS therefore go on vacation in a good mood and with the hope that 2023 will be an excellent year for the satellite team KTM : “ starting like this gives all of us, the team and me, a lot of motivation for the winter. I'm 31 years old, but with each new project, my energy and my hopes are completely new. This winter I plan to work on being as fit as possible, I'm sure the mechanics will be very motivated for next year as we have valuable goals to achieve He concludes.

Valencia test: times

Credit classification motogp.com