The opening of the MotoGP tests on the new Mandalika circuit started with the track completely muddy due to the rains and the works that continue to be carried out to finish it in view of the Grand Prix to be held in Indonesia in March.
The situation became so serious that the session was interrupted and the pilots met with the organizers and the Safety Commission, after which they were asked to go back to turn to clean and dry the bottom.
“The conditions were not good and when they forced all the drivers to do 20 laps only one line cleared up, but I didn’t like the decision and I really think it was a bad day,” said Aleix Espargaró, second with the his Aprilia in the standings of the times.
“In the end what matters is what happens in the garage and we did a good job and it confirms that the bike is going well, we are with the best once again.”
“The track was not in good condition for racing, there was a lot of mud and dust. Each driver, together with his team, has to decide when to go out and whether to race or not, but the organization forced us all to do it to clean the path “.
“I didn’t come here for that, unless my boss tells me; he can force me out in a bathing suit if he wants, and I will.”
“Aprilia supported me by saying that if I didn’t want to enter the track I shouldn’t have, but I decided to do it out of solidarity with my teammates.”
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
In any case, the final result speaks of a good session for the Spaniard.
“It is still early because the track is not in good shape yet and we all have to improve, until the end Maverick was first, then I finished second with tires that had covered 25 laps, that is a whole race”.
“The bike is going, we did a lot of work trying a new geometry, a new frame and everything worked pretty well.”
Finally, the Granollers boy was asked if Aprilia could be the surprise in the first race in Qatar.
“I don’t think we will be a surprise, last year we were already a few times with the best, but I don’t want to make hasty predictions”.
“We are doing a great job and there are many bikes ahead that will make the championship spectacular. And many Japanese teams are already doing excellent things like us.”
Conditions aside, Aleix liked the Mandalika circuit, finding it not too difficult.
“There are few places to overtake, I would say the braking of turns 1 and 10 and entering the finish line, which are really difficult points. You have to invent overtaking everywhere, that’s the beauty of the bikes.”
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