Since the first pre-season tests started in 2021, the entire MotoGP grid has only raced in Losail, a circumstance that, with a view to this weekend, when the second stop on the calendar will take place, makes things extremely difficult to the technicians, who no longer know where to get their hands on the motorcycles.
In that sense, Espargaró believes that Aprilia still needs to adjust some parameters of the RS-GP , with which the older brother from Granollers (Barcelona) finished seventh last Sunday, just 5.9 seconds behind Maverick Viñales, the winner. Never before has one of Noale ‘s brand motorcycles crossed the finish line so close to victory, a fact that for the moment validates the step forward that the prototype has taken this winter in terms of performance.
“In the race we showed that this is the best Aprilia in MotoGP. We learned a lot, especially with a full tank, when I lost a lot of ground. In that sense we have to change the balance of the bike and we plan to work on it starting tomorrow”, recognized Espargaró . “I love Qatar, but I can’t wait to go racing to another circuit. After having ridden so much, it is almost easier to make a mistake than to improve”, he added.
Despite the good result achieved, the Spaniard claimed to have taken it a bit calmly at the premiere to follow the guidelines set by his bosses, who asked him to return the bike to the workshop, in one piece.
“ Massimo [ Rivola , Aprilia’s CEO] has been telling me since the tests to go to 70%. In the race we easily reached the front group. But, in my case, I didn’t have the best feeling with the front tire. I had to be conservative. If it were Joan Mir, who is the champion and has to win, then he would have risked a little more. But I am not 24 years old, I am 31”, reflected the #41 , that this 2021 has been marked as one of the priority objectives to pay tribute to Fausto Gresini, the owner of the two seats with which Aprilia runs, recently deceased after contracting the coronavirus: “I want to achieve a podium and dedicate it to Fausto”.
The photos of Aleix Espargaró at the 2021 MotoGP Qatar GP
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: MotoGP
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
