Espargaro “not really enjoying” riding Aprilia in 2020
Aleix Espargaro admits he is “not really enjoying” riding his Aprilia MotoGP bike right now as he is “fighting for very bad positions”.
Espargaro has only cracked the top 10 once this season, when he was 10th at the Czech Grand Prix, and currently sits 17th in the standings on 22 points after finishing a distance 12th in last weekend’s Catalunya race.
Aprilia’s all-new RS-GP made a promising start to life in the winter tests in Malaysia and Qatar at the start of the year, but engine problems have meant the marque is having to run on reduced power.
“The situation now is not easy, I’m really not enjoying so much because I’m fighting for very bad positions,” Espargaro said.
“But, [I’m] excited to gain some tenths circuit by circuit and try to finish the season in the best way possible.
“Obviously, especially after the crash I had last week, it was very important to finish the race [at Catalunya] because for the engineers, for the experience, where you gain more data is in the race.
“When you have more tyre consumption, where the engine suffers more is after 40 minutes full gas and this just happens in the race. So, I’m satisfied we could finish.
“But, again, for me I know we have to finish, but to finish in these positions this far from the podium doesn’t make me very satisfied.
“I have to finish races because it’s my job, but I want to finish closer.”
Espargaro’s Catalan GP wasn’t helped by the cold weather, conditions in which the Aprilia struggles and is likely to face again next weekend at Le Mans for the French GP.
“I expect to use the jacket, that’s for sure,” he replied when asked what he expects from the upcoming Le Mans race. “Normally our bike is not working very good in the cold conditions.
“I suffered this weekend, and we see normally in the winter tests in Malaysia and Qatar where it’s very hot, we were very competitive, in Thailand, Argentina.
“And when we go to very cold tracks like Assen, sometimes in Germany, Le Mans we suffer a bit more.
“So, we have to think a little bit about the balance and the setting of the bike to put the temperature in the tyres.
“Le Mans is a circuit that I like, then we go to Aragon.”
Previous article
How Bagnaia can do what his mentor couldn't at Ducati
Next article
Quartararo admits he “can’t replace” Rossi at Yamaha
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Aleix Espargaro |
| Teams | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
