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MotoGP, Pol Esparagaro 1st in Mandalika: "I've never been this fast"

"I'm fast and I didn't fall, which means the bike is safer. It's not just a flying lap. I'm happy because, even with worn tires, I have a good pace. Honda worked well, but these are only tests. We'll see in Qatar."

MotoGP: Pol Esparagaro 1st in Mandalika: "I've never been this fast"

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The fastest of the last day of testing in Mandalika was Pol Espargaro who confirmed the progress that Honda had already demonstrated in Sepang. The Spanish rider seems to be satisfied with his new Honda and emphasized that he's happy not only because of the result of a great flying lap.

"It's not just a question of a single lap,” Pol said, “but also pace and the sensations with worn tires. When the tire is worn,  you can really understand if you’re working well or not. In the afternoon, the track improved a lot, even if the conditions today were good in the morning too. It's just one test lap, but it's good, because it shows the bike's great potential on the lap, which is something we wanted to improve since last year,  given the speed of the Ducatis."

So they focused a great deal on the race pace and a lot of work carried out in that area during these days.

"The most important thing is the pace. I’m fast, and I haven’t fallen. This means that the bike is safer than before. Now it’ll be important to consolidate my confidence before the race in Qatar, which is just around the corner. I feel ready.”

Instead, Pol wasn’t elated. Even if he was the best in Mandalika, he's keeping his eyes on his true target.

"I've never been this fast before. The Honda definitely worked well, but it's just a test. In a few weeks in Qatar, we’ll start to get serious. We should be ready and take advantage of all the work done during these tests."

Does the fact of having shown all this speed on a new track and in complicated conditions continue to increase your confidence?

"Tracks like this, and like Buriram, are a bit of my weak point, because I suffer a lot with the heat. I never ride like I’d like to when the asphalt temperature goes above fifty degrees. That’s precisely why being fast in Malaysia and also here in Mandalika is very important for me.”

 

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