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“I haven’t gotten many points in recent races? I haven’t gotten many points since Qatar,” Pol Espargarò still manages to joke about his disastrous season, remembering that podium in the first race with understandable nostalgia. His journey has almost come to an end, and it seems like the Spanish rider is looking forward to it ending, once and for all.
And everything seemed to be going well during the winter tests in Sepang: “Here, in the tests, I was one of the fastest. I was the only one to do a long lap, twelve laps in which I had been very constant,” he said. “But many things have changed since then, the sensations on the bike and also the results, so we’ll see what I can do.”
It’s hard to regain confidence in two races.
“I’ve been struggling for the past few races after Qatar and, from that moment on, I haven’t found anything that could improve my sensations. Only with the set-up, you can’t do much, and when everyone is fast, you need innovation. I never had any, and I don’t think I’ll get it now.”
You were second two years ago in your last race with KTM.
“It’s just a very different situation. Even seeing what Miller is doing in Ducati. He has full support from the constructor, all the way till the end. It’s sad, but that’s how it is.” |
How do you feel about these two races?
“I’m waiting for the end of the year. It’s my job. I have a contract, and I have to be as professional as possible.”
Marquez in Phillip Island threw away a victory. Could you learn something from him?
“Marquez’s frame, swingarm, and fairing are different than mine. He has a different riding style. And, then, Marc is Marc. It’s very difficult to make comparisons with Marquez in a normal situation, since we have the same package, and now we’re in different worlds. It’s not a complaint. It’s reality. He’s used to riding this bike. He adapted very well to the movements of the rear, while I still have to. If you consider that my riding style is very different from what the Honda requires and put everything else together, you understand that we’re in different worlds. It’s also difficult to analyze his data. Actually, it’s impossible.”
Your relationship is still good.
“Yeah, but I can't help him in any way. If they would let me test things, they could take advantage of this if the next rider had the same problems as I do. Instead, by doing so, Marquez will be fast, but the other riders won’t.”
What do you think about the battle for the Championship? Will it end here or in Valencia?
“This is a place where Ducati has a great chance of winning the title. First of all, because we know that very high speeds are achieved here, and then because Ducati not only worked to win the races but also the title in the last GP. The decision to have Pecco in front of him without anyone busting his chops is absolutely normal. If I were at the head of a company, I’d do exactly the same. I think a lot of Ducatis will surround Pecco, and it’s the best way to protect him.”
