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After a very difficult start to the season, Pol Espargarò took pole on the Silverstone track with a phenomenal lap of 1'58.889, a new track record, just two hundredths quicker than Bagnaia (Ducati) and three than Quartararo (Yamaha). It’s a result that also earned him the compliments of his brother Aleix and which partially rewards him for a difficult year.
"Yes, it is incredible to have done it. Here at Silverstone everything seems to have gone as it should, the right temperature, the right feeling with the bike. The grip of the track above all perfectly suits my riding style, and this track too in the past was favourable to Honda. Now I want to enjoy this moment, tomorrow will be the race and I don't take anything for granted. "
So what's your goal for tomorrow's race?
"Honestly, I don't want to think about tomorrow yet, this year has been so difficult for us, I would like to enjoy this moment for as long as possible. Both the team and I have been waiting for it for a long time."
What will you feel tomorrow starting in front of everyone on the grid?
"For sure this result has filled me with confidence, I needed it, but I know it will be difficult, I am still adapting to the bike. As I said it was a difficult year, we have suffered and we are still suffering from various problems, so it will not be easy to race with these riders, they are all very strong and I didn't have many chances this year to see them at work in the early laps, so on the one hand I don't know what to expect, but on the other I think I'll have a lot of fun. "
What is or what has been the main problem holding you back this year, how have you changed?
"For sure I’m facing some crucial problems with this bike in my riding style, normally I use the rear brake massively in all the bikes I have ridden. I used different discs from many of my teammates in Moto2 because I was burning them. In KTM I made the Brembo guys work quite a lot because I wore out the rear brake too much, but here at Silverstone it's different, the temperature and grip are perfect and allow me to ride with my style, and these are the results".
How is your relationship with Marquez in the pits?
"I have a good relationship with Marc and it’s nice to have him in the pit box. Today he was very fast, it was a shame that they cancelled his time, but he showed me that the Honda could go well here so I was trying to push even harder to lap in 1'59 and I was able to do even better. I'm sure that this result will give Marc a good boost for tomorrow's race as well. "
Among the riders in the first two rows tomorrow, is there anyone you will keep an eye on more than the others?
"They are all very strong riders, if there is anyone that I have to worry about it will be myself. It will certainly be a new and fun experience for me to start with all of them behind me."
Would you say this is the best result in your career?
"You know, when you join a team like Honda it is normal for people to point the finger at your mistakes and lack of results, it's something that I accept and that is part of this world. It was hard I admit, and I know that from today things will not change radically in the next races, but this result is already a sign that in the right conditions I can do well, it is a big step forward both for me and for the team that has never stopped working hard throughout the season. It’s a real breath of fresh air that we needed ".
