The Barcelona Grand Prix is fast approaching. With him, the pressure for those who are still playing for the MotoGP world title, and also, a special occasion for a rider who is just as special. This is the last time we will see Aleix Espargaro at the start of a race as a starting driver, and as if all this had been written for a long time, it will take place in his garden. Where he failed, where he won.
The story is not over
While he is currently in 11th position in the general classification, Aleix has nothing left to play, nothing left to prove. It is difficult to find a potential motivation that would justify a riot of energy in Barcelona, except for two fairly clear elements: first, the fact that all this is taking place in Catalunya, the circuit of his life, which he has known since he was little. Then, the solidarity he displays with the Valencian people for whom this final race is intended. Despite an anecdotal end to the season, little helped by Aprilia's decreasing competitiveness since the start of the overseas tour, Aleix has legitimate reasons to give himself. Now, other drivers are still playing something. And they're not going to let Aleix Espargaro overtake them just because he's from the area.
The question is simple: can he, once again, succeed in distinguishing himself during his Grand Prix? Let's analyze all this.
The der, before joining the Honda test team. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
A feat in sight?
There are good reasons to think that yes, he can do it. Winning, maybe not, but achieving a good performance is plausible.
The Aprilia RS-GP is traditionally at ease on this trackespecially because it has less grip than the others. It is difficult to know if the low temperatures will significantly help the Noale firm in Catalunya, but in any case, in the last two editions of the Grand Prix contested in the spring, they were very fast there. The RS-GP23, last year's model, was there even more than the GP-24, for a reason which seemed quite foreign to the drivers elsewhere. Still, at the start of the year, Aleix Espargaro managed to take pole position as well as victory in the Sprint, his last at the moment.
Supported by his audience, he has always been at ease there. The wisest among you will necessarily remember this podium in Moto2 during the 2011 season, the only one of his career in this category. Then, there was this pole with Suzuki in MotoGP during the 2015 campaign, the first for the brand since its return to business. Casually, he was ahead of a young and fiery Maverick Vinales on the grid, proof of his talent.
The Aprilia era took a long time to develop, but as of 2022, it is still in the game. I won't dwell on this incredible failure one lap from the end, again, after starting from pole position. Then, in 2023, complete revenge, with the double victory in the Sprint and during the Sunday race. He had been intractable there.
The Aprilia is suffering from the heat, the lower temperatures promised in Barcelona could help. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
If we base ourselves on past rounds, it's clear, he is one of the best on this track and remains a danger for the podium. Yes, his age works against him, but he has already proven that he is better when no one expects him and then finally, Aleix was already “old” when he won this season.
A task more complicated than it seems
However, there is no need to panic because in the space of four months, everything has changed. It is good to remember thatEspargaro is not in a good dynamic, just like Aprilia. So, it's hard to imagine someone who hasn't been in the top 5 since the Sprint in Austria coming to win in front of the big names. Ducati has only progressed during this time. Today, we see very clearly the difference between the Martin/Bagnaia duo and the rest, in each race, without even mentioning the threats that are Bastianini and Marc Marquez.
In addition, let's remember that his Sprint victory this season is one of the luckiest we have had the opportunity to see. Brad Binder, who started in front, collapsed. Then Raul Fernandez also fell from the lead. Then, unexpectedly, Pecco Bagnaia's front wheel slipped away on the last lap of the event when victory was promised to him. A true gift from the MotoGP Gods, in a way. Honestly, I think there is very little chance that such a combination of circumstances will happen again.
MotoGP will miss him, but I will have the opportunity to pay tribute to him later. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Conclusion
I in no way exclude Aleix Espargaro from the debates for this weekend, but it might be a little short for victory. In my opinion, the real danger lies in qualifying. The Aprilia, even if it was below during this Asian tour, often qualified well in the hands of Maverick Vinales, in a rather inexplicable way (third in Japan and Australia) moreover. His speed over a lap is always interesting and on a favorable track like Barcelona, it could pay off. Especially since Aleix Espargaro's number 1 weapon is indeed this speed in qualifying, he is one of the rare riders to have more poles than victories in MotoGP.
I'm curious to know what you think, so, tell me in comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial staff.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
