The Sprint chronicle
After the pole comes the victory of the Sprint race on the home weekend for Aleix Espargarò, who gives himself and Aprilia an extremely emotional success after the Catalan rider’s announcement of retirement at the end of the season on Thursday. But the appointment with the short race in Barcelona will be remembered above all for the series of falls of the leaders: first Raul Fernandez, then Brad Binder and finally Pecco Bagnaia all collapsed while they were leading the race.
Above all, the world champion’s crash was terrible for morale, as he threw away a victory that was already in his pocket on the last lap. Marc Marquez, on the other hand, is smiling, author of yet another phenomenal comeback: from 14th on the grid to second at the finish line, with the thrill of having overtaken Pedro Acosta, third, right at the start of the last lap. ‘Only’ Jorge Martin fourth, who however also takes advantage of Bagnaia’s unexpected zero in the standings.
The words of the top-3
Aleix Espargarò (1st, Aprilia): “Thank you all. These last two days are a kind of fairy tale for me, I can’t find the words. The race was difficult, the track was slippery but when I saw the lap time I was amazed. I thought it was impossible to finish at this pace. Many started to fall, I tried to control the rear in the last laps. Pecco was doing very well, even risking a lot. I believed in it until the end and I did it.”
Marc Marquez (2nd, Ducati-Gresini): “Incredible. I didn’t expect the comeback at Le Mans, where there was pace, and even less so today where it didn’t seem like I had it. After turn 2 I’d say I didn’t do too badly. Jokes aside, the track was very different, a little slippery but the pace was there, especially in the first laps. But even in the final laps the bike was excellent. Many riders crashed, but the situation was difficult on the track. Congratulations to Aleix, today and maybe tomorrow on this track will be his day”.
Pedro Acosta (3rd, KTM-Gas Gas): “At the beginning we fought with Brad and Pecco. The temperature is high and there were problems with the grip. But I’m happy to be on the podium with these guys. I thank everyone at Gas Gas”.
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