This week has been full of good news for Aleix Espargaro. The Honda test rider has been called up to replace Luca Marini in Holland, and Lidl-Trek, the cycling team of which he's a member, announced his presence at the Tour of Austria next July.
"Being here with HRC is great. I would've preferred Mugello, but this is a more friendly track for me, and then it's the greatest team in history. Whatever happens, I'll have raced for them. It's a pleasure for me, and then it's been so many years since I missed having a new team or a new crew chief. I feel really motivated. It's a good challenge. Why didn't Jimenez follow me? He could have, but it would've taken more time and, here, the group works wel. Then, I think it's good to work with Marini's team, since I'm only used to the test team," he said.
"The technicians gave me track data, and it turned out that I have a record here. A 1'32"5 in the race, so I have a nice memory. But, in general, I've always had good rides on this track. In 2014, with the Yamaha Forward, I fought for a long time with Dani Pedrosa for the podium," he emphasized.
When he was asked if this opportunity in HRC or the chance to debut on the most important stages in cycling is better, he replied: "Becoming a professional cyclist was my dream, and I prepared for a very long time to achieve it. So, I wanted that more rather than being at the start of a GP, but racing for the official team is a real pleasure, because it's something historical, and that will remain. As mentioned, however, to be at the start of an international cycling race with opposing teams like UAE or Ineos is a dream for which I've been training like crazy all these months. These are two very different sports and, even at the level of preparation, you have to compromise. It's a challenge, but I've never backed down. Being able to do both is a pleasure. I work out more than a cyclist, but it's all about balance. On a cardio level, I'm as fit as I've ever been."
Finally, a pointer for the engineers who'll have to continue to develop the RC213V. "What we need to improve is vibration, since it becomes difficult for the rider to push. With Albesiano, we have to find a solution, as well as for power. In the Barcelona test, I was losing more than 10 km/h from my brother Pol and Dani. At Mugello, I analyzed the data. It was clear how much our bike leaves behind in the straights. As fast as you are in the corners, the straight penalizes you and doesn't allow you to battle with the others. So, this track won't be in our favor but, hopefully, we'll have the material to grow in the summer," he concluded.