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There is no need to ask Aleix Espargarò how he feels, just look at his face. The Aprilia rider is a portrait of happiness and it could not be otherwise. Just a few days ago he won his first MotoGP race and that of the Noale manufacturer and, as if that weren't enough, he finds himself at the top of the championship points in Austin.
Last Sunday you said that a victory would not change your life, are you still of that idea?
“Mentally, these three days have been like being on a cloud, it's hard to explain, this was certainly a big change. With those words, however, I meant that winning was not an obsession for me, even though many people reminded me that I was the only rider who had never done it. I'm lucky, I have a beautiful family, my job is my passion, I can often ride a bike, everything is fine, nothing changes for me whether I finish first or not in a race. But before I thought I could win and now I know I can. I liked it a lot, I'll try to repeat it (laughs) ”.
How important was it to give Aprilia its first win?
“For me it is the most important thing. I deserved to be the first to make the first podium, then the first pole position and win with Aprilia. I feel like the father of the RS-GP, I developed this bike with Romano Abesiano and all the engineers. It is an extension of my body, it is my bike and this makes me proud. It is difficult to win in MotoGP, for example my brother Pol is a world champion and he is in HRC but he has not yet succeeded, I did it with Aprilia and it is a huge pride ".
Did you feel the pressure in the race?
“No, I knew that my pace, being in that position was new to me, but already on Saturday, analyzing the pace, I felt confident. Martin surprised me, but I knew I had more. I was nervous only in the last 5 corners, in the end I was unable to brake well, but in the race I was very calm. "
Have you always believed you could do it?
“I've always been positive, for two years I knew I was riding better than ever, I said it because I felt it and bit by bit I proved it. This feeling is not enough, you also need a good bike and Aprilia gave it to me. With the speed we have, it will be a good year for us ”.
When did you realize you could have won?
“Already in the winter tests I felt very strong, I was always in the top 3, I had good pace. In Qatar I had the feeling of being the fastest and not having taken advantage of it. In Indonesia, if it hadn't rained, I would have had the pace to win, I felt I was faster than ever. It wasn't just me but the Aprilia too, so there were all the ingredients, and you just had to put them together. I didn't know if I would have succeeded so early in the year, but I knew I would ".
Is this story with Aprilia destined to continue?
“I would like to be with them for another two years, it would be above all correct towards me because I have suffered so much and now I think I deserve to enjoy this moment. I haven't talked to Aprilia yet, I hope they offer me the contract I deserve, that they recognize my worth. I think the market will start moving when we get to Europe ”.
You said that Rivola was one of the keys to this success, what did he bring to Aprilia?
"Order. With Massimo some very good new engineers arrived, but we already had others at home, Albesiano and his men were able to make a fast bike. Before Rivola arrived, Romano had to do a lot of things, afterwardshe was able to concentrate on development, that was the key. In the past I had the feeling of always hitting the same wall, with Massimo we started growing and finally we were able to win because we took one step after another. My feeling is that the Aprilia is the bike that has improved the most this year, now we still have to make progress. "
