Let's talk MotoGP: But why did Aleix Espargaro do that?

You couldn't have missed it: during the Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona, Aleix Espargaro helped his friend Jorge Martin quite a bit in the race for the MotoGP title. Whether in qualifying or during the main race, he did his best to protect the world champion. A rather interesting question then arises: Is it serious? Did he really have an influence on the final result? This is what we are going to see.

Short memory

I'm going to put my foot down, without delay.
Many know that I consider Aleix Espargaro a very great rider, undoubtedly one of the best of the 21st century in MotoGP. Besides, I will pay tribute to him in a few days, because he is now retired – officially, at least. However, I found his behavior quite low, and bordering on unsportsmanlike.

To summarize, in addition to sucking Jorge Martin in qualifying, he tried to help him in the race, by putting himself in his wheel. At the start of the weekend, he told journalists thathe would do everything possible to see Jorge Martin crowned champion on Sunday evening.

Aleix didn't let go of Martin's coattails all weekend… and he continues on Twitter! Photo: Michelin Motorsport

Something is deeply bothering me. If again, Aleix Espargaro was for Petit Poucet during each decisive race, that would not pose a problem to me. But there, Jorge Martin didn't need help, he was 19 points ahead when he started the Sunday race! It's ridiculous, and the “Martinator”, like a great champion, never asked for anyone's help. In the end, Aleix missed out on pole position and was ahead of Martin on the grid, who, as we know, is never as strong as when he is riding alone.

Then, making such a statement before the weekend should have alerted the highest authorities, because it could have proven detrimental. What would have happened if Espargaro – winner of the Sprint here at the start of the year – had found himself, on the last lap of the race, neck and neck with Bagnaia in a scenario where a victory for the latter crowned him?
Would he have put him on the ground “with premeditation”?

That's not all. What bothered me was that Aleix Espargaro changed his philosophy depending on who was opposite him.
I haven't forgotten that in 2015 he was the only one trying to hold off Valentino Rossi during his comeback from last place in Valencia. Danilo Petrucci, for his part, had completely let “The Doctor” pass, which was no more honorable than what Espargaro did in Barcelona.

This influence in decisive races bothers me deeply,
because Martin didn't need any help to get out of it. This type of behavior is not penalized because it takes on a more serious dimension only in rare cases… but I am curious to know what the race management would have thought of it if Espargaro had put Bagnaia on the ground while he had warned the whole world.

Did it work?

Now, should we forgive him? After all, did he weigh in the balance? No, I don't think so. First, in qualifying – where it was most obvious, Martin did not excel, and I think he could have done at least as well alone. A fourth place on the grid did not guarantee him a good start, and Bagnaia had pole, so nothing serious. Then, during the GP, we saw him defend on Bastianini, who wanted to get back to Martin as quickly as possible not to help Bagnaia, but to take third place in the championship. Enea failed, and, of course, was quick to speak of his distaste for Espargaro's maneuvers during the race.
On this point, I find it difficult to support “Bestia”.

First, because Espargaro never really bothered Bastianini.
If a viewer was not aware of the friendships and background, they would never have suspected that Espargaro was protecting Martin. It was firm, but within the rules. Then, Bastianini missed, falling in the rankings. Afterwards, he could no longer follow Alex Marquez. I'm sure Aleix knows the track well, but Bastianini, on the most efficient Ducati of all time, should have easily gotten rid of Espargaro at the end of the race. In the end, the Italian was seventh, far from the lead. It is therefore impossible to accuse the Aprilia official of having ruined his last outing with Ducati.

Bastianini failed on his own, at the worst of times. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

Conclusion

Fortunately for his immense legacy in MotoGP, Aleix Espargaro didn't do anything immoral in Barcelona. Yes, he gave an aspiration in Q2, but others did it before him, and for reasons much less grandiose than friendship (remember Maverick Vinales and Rossi at Mugello in 2016). That said, the basic idea is the desire to protect someone definitely stronger than him, even if it means sacrificing his last race home. seems unnecessary and too tendentious to me. Let's say that in the end, he did well.

I'm curious to know what you thought of Aleix Espargaro's actions in Barcelona. Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial staff.