Aleix Espargaro hopes to get this podium with Suzuki before leaving the saddle of the GSX-RR. Qualified fourth at Phillip Island, the man who was denied access to the front row by his brother Pol is in an ideal position to achieve his goals. But he warns: the Australian race will settle from the fifteenth of the twenty-seven planned laps.
It’s a Alex Espargaro legitimately happy with his performance which ended this crazy Saturday day in Australia. The wind, the rain, the cold then the sun before the rain returned, nothing was missing to put the nerves of the MotoGP protagonists to the test.
Coming out of this constant adversity means growing, and the volume is even greater when you finally beat this bulky 21-year-old teammate without discussion: Maverick Vinales. Boss at Suzuki this time, the one who will try to make Aprilia happy next year, however, regretted not having been able to attempt a lap equipped with slick tires:
«I started my qualifying with the intermediates then for the last six minutes I put a slick at the rear while keeping the intermediate at the front. Unfortunately, the bike had difficulty turning because the intermediate carcass is too soft. I couldn't improve my times and I think that with a front slick, I could have played the first row. But hey, it was also safer that way. So I'm happy with my fourth place ».
He pursues : " this weekend takes place in difficult weather conditions. It was difficult to avoid falls with the wind, rain and everything else. Tomorrow it will be a crazy race and we start in the leading group. I'm already looking forward to it ».
However, we will have to work until the last moments because nothing is yet technically fixed: “ tomorrow morning, we will have an extra half hour of warm-up to work on the dry track. I think Marc will be the strongest because when the conditions are difficult, he is best able to reach the limits. But I think we can play for the podium. The bike is good and I am confident. We will see. Tomorrow, the crucial choice to make will be that of the front tire ».
« It is practically impossible to make a prediction because the lap times in the dry have been quite slow so far. The wind is blowing strong and the temperatures are really low. The grip is precarious and the bike moves a lot. I think there will be some good fights until the tenth or twelfth round. But the final decision will be made from the fifteenth to the twenty-seventh and final round ».
« This is why we will have to work tomorrow morning on traction control and tire choice. No one is really ready right now. The first ten rounds are going to be crazy. But from the fifteenth lap, the race for victory will begin ". Something to keep us awake!
