Aleix Espargaro “ready to fight factory riders” tomorrow

Lorenzo, Márquez, Rossi and Pedrosa had all topped a free practice timesheet on Friday and Saturday at Aragon, and despite an expected Honda advantage over the Yamahas there was a close battle for pole in Q2.

Lorenzo and Rossi looked stronger early in the session, but Pedrosa and Márquez responded quickly. Then towards the end of the session Lorenzo and Marquez upped the pace with the rookie eventually taking pole by just a 0.01s margin. The top four are split by just 0.158s on the grid so an exciting race is expected on Sunday, with the current top four in the MotoGP standings Márquez, Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Rossi at the front of the pack.

Those top riders set a rapid pace, with the leading four going under the 1’48 barrier and with the pole record shattered at Motorland. Aleix Espargaró is again performing brilliantly, going straight into Q2 and registering his best time of the weekend so far on his third qualifying lap – a 1’49.348. He is 1.5s off the pole time and will start in tenth place on the grid. He hopes to produce a good race from that lofty position in front of the home fans.

10th Aleix Espargaró 1’49.348:
“I’m really happy again with our performance on the second day here at Aragon. I think we’ve produced a great result beating the some Ducati riders and we’re set for a good race. We know the MotorLand Aragon is a technical track which does not really favour us and the long straights help the prototypes. I’m still ready for a fight with some of the factory riders on Sunday. I want to stay with them and battle for positions in the final laps. Tomorrow I’ll be really careful to avoid a jump start like at Misano. The first corner is tight so I need to make sure I don’t lose any places and stick tight to the rider in front.”

Source: Aspar Media