Aleix Espargaró: "If I've upset someone, I sing mea culpa"

June 19, 2021

During MotoGP qualifying in Germany, an image more typical of Moto3 than of the premier class was seen. With just a minute left to finish, several drivers were slowing down and opening up in the last sector, hindering those who were still on the fast lap. One of those who did it was Aleix Espargaró, who had previously taken advantage of his brother Pol’s wheel to get third on the Sachsenring grid.

The yellow flag that caused the fall of Johann Zarco prevented anyone from improving and finally the rider from Granollers (Barcelona) achieved the best result of an Aprilia in qualifying.

At the end, #41 was asked about the dangerous situation they caused in the final part of Q2 . The Catalan recognized the bad example they gave, but apologized for the atypical characteristics of the German track.

“It’s not that we want to give an example, we must give it,” admitted Espargaró. “In the Safety Commission we always talk about it, we try to improve the Moto3 team. If I have bothered someone, I sing mea culpa . It cannot be what has happened. But it is true that the Sachsenring is three kilometers long, half that any other circuit, it’s very difficult for that not to happen. At Sachsenring it’s normal.”

The Aprilia rider is completing a remarkable season and this Saturday he qualified third for the race, in the debut of a MotoGP Aprilia on the front row.

“When I arrive at each circuit it is unknown how competitive I will be, it is like new for us. We are confirming that we are competitive practically on all tracks, very different. I am happy to be the first ladder to get to the top, we want to lay the foundations for a competitive bike that works throughout the year,” he said.

Looking ahead to the race, he considers the result achieved to be good, but warns that the choice and management of the tire will be crucial.

“Sachsenring is a very small circuit, where it is very difficult to overtake. Half of the mission completed. We will see tomorrow how it goes. The first two, Ducati and Yamaha , do not have a brutal pace. KTM has a good pace with Oliveira, even Rins with Suzuki . At the beginning, with the medium tire I feel competitive. In Barcelona it cost me more. I have traction again. I suffer a lot in the first sector. The important thing will be not to spend too much at the start because the track is at 50 degrees, it looks like Malaysia. laps are going to be the key”, he insists.