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The last time Aprilia started in front of everyone in a race on the track, the screams of the 2-stroke were still being heard and Jeremy McWilliams put the RSW-2 500cc machine on pole at Phillip Island. Today Aleix Espargarò did it again, in MotoGP, in Argentina and with the RS-GP. A historic result that fills him with joy and more.
"It is a gift that I gave to Aprilia, I am happy, indeed proud because I feel the father of this bike and this project - he said - I am happy to see the people of Noale happy and I dedicate this pole to all of them, also to all those who are at home. Only I know how much we have suffered in these 5 or 6 years, but now I'm having a lot of fun. Maybe this moment came a little late in my career, but you don't know how nice it is to have such a competitive bike. The important thing will be the race, but for a rider it's a good feeling to be so fast. "
The Spaniard was not surprised by this result.
“Termas is a track where it is very important to have confidence in the front and the Aprilia is very competitive at corner entry with the brakes in hand - he explained - Already in Qatar, I finished 4th but I felt the strongest in the race, even Indonesia in the dry I could have fought for the podium. This will be a good year and we will have to use our heads, if we play our cards right I think we could arrive at Valencia with a historic result. I don't want to talk about a result, but if we don't make mistakes we can score a lot of points ”.
The first step will be tomorrow.
“Without a doubt this is the best RS-GP I've ever had - he continued - Since 2020 we have changed the way we work, we needed time, and today it's a pleasure to have been the fastest. I also have a good pace, I am calm and relaxed and I think that tomorrow will be another historic day for us. I still want to keep my feet on the ground, we only did one day of testing and there is a lot to analyse. I will try to push from the first lap, I have a good pace and I will be relaxed ”.
Aleix did not hide the fact that tomorrow will be the key day.
"Today I'm happy, it's nice to be fast on Saturday, but what will make me happy will be a good result tomorrow, to be able to make history with Aprilia - he said - These little moments of joy are still fantastic, to see the people in the garage with their smile makes me feel happy and proud, they are a second family to me ".
So what are you aiming for?
“After FP2 I was very confident, too much even and I had never felt this feeling in the past – was his answer - I'm not the one who has to say how I ride, but I feel competitive. With just one day of practice you can’t look too much at the pace of the others, but mine is fast, it will be important in the first laps not to make too much chaos and try to impose your own pace ”.
Vinales has also improved and he will start not that far behind his teammate, in 5th place.
“Perfection would have been first and second – said Aleix – Maverick was fast all day and only had a small problem in qualifying, I think Aprilia has a good pair of riders and the results will come” he assured.
