MotoGP | Espargaro: “Aprilia double? It will be difficult in the race”

The rider born just five kilometers from the circuit had already warned, in view of his home race, that he was in the best moment of his life and that he was not willing to miss an opportunity that fate had given him after so many years of stumbling. .

Today the Aprilia rider dominated the first day of practice of the Catalunya GP, attracting the admiration of his rivals.

“If the race had been run today Aleix would have run away, I was surprised by his performance” declared Enea Bastianini, while Bagnaia added: “Aleix is ​​in a fabulous moment and Aprilia has improved a lot. He is a candidate for victory ”.

“It’s incredible. I have 30 reporters around me while Nadal is playing at Roland Garros, ”said Espargaro.

“When it is said that it is difficult to fight for the last places, to fall and to get up again, it is not a cliché, it is pure reality. Being in front you do not suffer, you are relaxed and have fun. It’s my home Grand Prix but I don’t feel any pressure, I just wanted to get out on the track and show everyone that I’m very fast ”.

After Aprilia placed both bikes at the top of the time table at the end of today’s day, Aleix was asked if the Noale manufacturer will be able to aim for a double in the race as well.

“I see we’ve already skipped Saturday (laughs). I’d like to, it would be nice to get an Aprilia double on Sunday, but this track is very difficult, the tire drop is very high, the tire slips a lot and even if in this sport it’s about going fast, the fastest rider doesn’t always win. This is one of the tracks where being the fastest doesn’t guarantee you victory. You have to work hard and get to the end of the race with enough rubber to have a chance ”.

“We were consistent. With the medium tire I was very fast for ten laps, but we have to see from the eleventh or twelfth lap. We’ll see if they hold up tomorrow in FP4.”

Aleix then pointed out how his and Aprilia’s current competitiveness has changed the concept that the paddock had towards the Spaniard and the Italian manufacturer.

“Rivola had already said that when we won in Argentina. He had warned us that if we continued like this we would no longer be nice. Livio Suppo said that if he doesn’t win Suzuki he would like me to win the title, and it’s something that gives hope. The truth is that everything that is happening this year is very strange ”.

“Winning here on Sunday would be incredible. I have never been on the podium in Barcelona ”continued Aleix.

When Bastianini’s statements were brought to him, the Aprilia rider shared a further thought of the Gresini team rider. According to Aeneas, in fact, it is premature to provide definitive judgments as early as Friday.

“I absolutely agree with what Enea said, but I prefer to finish at the top on Friday rather than finish third as he did. Everyone says today is only Friday, and it’s true, but I prefer to end this day at my own pace. We will see on Sunday ”.