The two Grand Prix in Valencia 2020 version will remain good memories in the memory of Pol Espargaró who returns with two third places and a pole position. The Spaniard is doing what is necessary to leave KTM head high before joining the Honda adventure. He has five podiums this year, but without having been able to celebrate a single victory. Seventh in the championship, he can hope for even better if he stays at the same pace when, next weekend, he plays for the title in Portimao. In the meantime, he does not hide his satisfaction…
Pol Espargaro will perhaps not be among the drivers who have won with the RC16 in history KTM, but he is doing what is necessary to remain the one who has secured the brand's best place in a MotoGP championship. A position that he strengthened with his second podium in Valencia, bringing this type of achievement to five this season.
An assessment that the teammate of a Brad Binder fifth in Valencia estimates thus: “ it's incredible, I don't realize it yet, and we are not aware of the season we are having, of the way we are ending the year, with the first and second rows of the grid, with podiums, in dry conditions where everyone is going to the limit. We are all amazed. After Portimao, we will celebrate, and why not with a good last race ».
On the progress of his race, he specifies: “ Nakagami was a little faster, so I thought I should hold on to fourth place, as that too would have been a great result. We expected a top 5 result this weekend. Now I'm on the podium for the fifth time this season, plus two poles. It's amazing to see how much we're reaping the rewards of our efforts in the last few races. It's impressive ! I am very proud of this KTM project, of my performances and of all the people who made it a success. It's certain ».
“Nakagami could have won”
The fall of Nakagami arranged it well, even if it almost ended badly for him… “ I said to myself: 'I better give him some space, because I was already at the limit, I braked again very late. Taka then threw his motorcycle too fast, and he fell. I must say that I was very lucky. But I understand that he wanted to catch me. He could have won the race, I think he had a chance in terms of speed. A podium was definitely possible for him. But how close it was! I lost 1,5 seconds on the lap after the Nakagami accident. First I had to take a deep breath and deal with the shock. But then I was able to manage the podium. I am very satisfied ».
The fact remains that this Sunday, the star was Joan mir, new and young MotoGP World Champion on the Suzuki. A character visibly appreciated by Pol Espargaró: “I am very happy for Joan mir, he's a hard worker, I think he's really hard-working, he's fun, easy-going, a normal guy. I am happy for him and Suzuki who worked very well.”
MotoGP Valencia-2 J3: classification
