Aleix Espargaro traveled to Silverstone, where the motorcycle world championship is back from the five-week summer break, with a good feeling. No wonder, since the Spaniard finished third on the 5.9-kilometer circuit in England a year ago, Aprilia’s first podium finish of the MotoGP era. Espargaro took the next step up the career ladder this year. In Argentina he celebrated his first victory, in the world championship nine races before closing time only 21 points separate him from defending champion and leader Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).
“The break did us good, it was more important than ever. Because the first part of the season was unbelievable. The new situation that we are just getting to know demands a lot of physical and mental energy from us,” explained the 33-year-old, who is befriended the role of the hunter.
Espargaro does not (yet) want to talk about the title. “We have a couple of tracks ahead of us where we have a chance to get very strong results. That starts with Silverstone.” The race starts on Sunday at 2 p.m., ServusTV will broadcast from 11.40 a.m.
Boxing Whisper
Meanwhile, there are growing signs that Aleix’s younger brother Pol is returning to KTM. “I can’t say anything yet, but my future is clear,” the Honda factory driver is quoted as saying before the Silverstone classic. “I have signed for the next two years. There will be an official announcement in the course of the next races,” adds Espargaro cryptically.
It has been an open secret in the pit lane for several weeks that the 31-year-old is returning to KTM. “Maybe yes,” Espargaro replied when asked if he would ride a bike he knew. There is no longer a place in the KTM factory team. Its drivers, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, have already been fixed for next season. According to this, Espargaro should be accommodated by the Tech3 satellite team or on the GasGas, which is identical in construction. The Iberian had already worked for KTM from 2017 to 2020.
With the struggling Repsol Honda, Espargaro only temporarily went as he wished, the drivers’ standings show him in 17th place. In the new season, everything should get better with his new team. “I’m quite happy because I’m going where I really wanted to go. In the end you never know if you’ll end up at home because you don’t get any more space. But I’m lucky, the bike will be very good, too the salary is very good.” He has big plans for Silverstone. Also because he started the race here from pole position last year (fifth place in the final).
At the start of training yesterday, Johann Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia were the fastest despite falling. And the espargaros? Aleix (6th) and Pol (11th) were still looking for the right set-up.
Source: Nachrichten
