Espargaro secures first CRT crown with 11th place in chaotic MotoGP race
Pedrosa, Stoner and Lorenzo had looked to be the trio to battle for the podium at the Valencia GP, but there were twists in the final round of the year. The starting grid featured variations in tyre choice amongst the MotoGP riders, and when the thirty lap contest began, several riders had gambled on slick tyres. Dani Pedrosa had started from pit lane but went on to win the race, after Jorge Lorenzo crashed out in a spectacular fall. Substitute rider Kats Nakasuga took second, with Casey Stoner in third for his final race before retiring.
Aleix Espargaró made history today by becoming the first CRT rider to lead a MotoGP race, and he did so for two laps at Valencia. He had to pass through the pits later on in the race to change bikes, in order to use the slicks that were appropriate for the conditions. He then set about overtaking his teammate, and claimed the best CRT rider of 2012 honour.
The POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders were once again close to one another on race day, as Randy De Puniet used slick tyres from the start and battled with a lack of front grip. The Frenchman might have been unable to keep up with his teammate, but his twelfth place finish was just behind Espargaró and he placed runner-up to the Spaniard in the overall CRT standings. Espargaró claimed 74 points over the course of the year, winning out by 12.
11th Aleix Espargaró: “I am very happy, because finally we were able to claim the prize for best CRT riders of the year. The race was very strange, as on the grid I was a little nervous about the tyre choice. I knew that I could go faster with the slicks, but it was very risky so I used the wets. There was a dry line that was rather unstable, so it was only my teammate who used slicks in the end. Once the race began, I focused on going as hard as I could until the tyre went off, then I changed bikes. I concentrated on catching Randy, and when I passed him I relaxed a bit to enjoy the race and finish as high up as possible. I think that we have had a formidable season and that this has been reflected with the best CRT prize. The most important thing is that the team has supported me, which I value a lot. Jorge gave me a lot of confidence from the start and I want to thank him and enjoy having reached our goal.”
Source: Aspar Team Press Release