Aleix Espargaró finished the first day of training for the Catalunya GP in first position overall. The Spanish rider, after announcing that he will leave the competition at the end of the season, set the record for the fastest lap at the Montmeló circuit and secured access to Q2.
In the debrief, the Aprilia Racing rider talked about the sensations he had during the first day of training in Barcelona.
– Grip is very low, in the morning I had a lot of difficulty being fast and it was very strange in the morning. Fortunately, during the afternoon I was able to have fun and be fast, I never thought I could beat the record for the fastest lap today, but I am happy. Grip is a bit worse and it is always a shock to arrive here after a circuit with much more grip. The way we ride has to be completely different because if we rush the acceleration coming out of the corner, we start to lose grip and time and you never recover traction.
Asked about the feeling of already being considered a rider who will retire at the end of the season, Aleix replied: ‘Yesterday was an incredible day, one of the happiest days of my life. I felt this morning that I made the right decision, because I was very happy, relaxed, and relieved. The feeling at breakfast felt like I was at home, super relaxed without thinking about anything, on the bike I was also relaxed, so it was very good. I hope that if I continue like this, relaxed and riding like this, I can win the title.’
Aleix also spoke about the possibility of Martín taking his place when he retires.
– It’s a good team and a good bike, but it’s not fair. Martín deserves the bike of his dreams, which is the Ducati and the factory team, if he doesn’t have it, it will be very unfair. Seeing Jorge winning the title and races with Aprilia would be a dream.
