MotoGP, Aleix Espargarò: "Pleased with the position, but I need to improve"

On a day not lacking in surprises, there was a confirmation in the Aprilia camp. The RS-GP continues to show its potential, and with Aleix Espargarò riding it, the results are quick to arrive. In Qatar he achieved a significant sixth place finish, and at the end of day at Termas de Rio Hondo the Spaniard has managed to close inside the top ten, in ninth place; something that many of the more experienced riders failed to achieve. An important result in itself, but one that takes on greater significance if we look at tomorrow's forecast, that threatens rain.

#41 is not totally happy though: “My feeling with the bike was strange today; I haven't yet found the sensations I had in Qatar, especially when trying to stop the bike. I think that it will sort itself out as the track conditions improve, but right now I'm too close to the limit to feel at ease on the bike. Another problem to work on is that I am continually losing the front”.

As he views the timesheets, the Spaniard can't hide a smile though.

“We're inside the top ten and this is positive, considering the fact it might rain tomorrow, which would make it tough to improve on today's times. Predictions for the race? If it were today, I'd choose the harder tyre, as the soft seems to create too much movement,  and when I used it I was a second slower. I set my best time with the medium compound, but the hard offers greater stability”.

On the other side of the garage, Sam Lowes continues his apprenticeship with the bike and new category.

“It was difficult to select the right tyre at the right time today- explains the Brit – seeing as the conditions were really changing fast. I feel that I could have gone a few tenths quicker, but that's not fundamental. Right now I'm pleased because I feel more at ease on the bike than I did in Qatar, and we can be more competitive in terms of race pace”.

#22 is nevertheless confident about the path he needs to take: “We know we need to improve, without making mistakes, and continue to build on our performance step by step. Tomorrow's rain? Testing the bike in the wet wouldn't be bad, as I haven't done so yet and it could be interesting”.