MotoGP | GP Portimao 2 Qualifying: Aleix Espargarò, “Many positive aspects”

MotoGP 2021 Portimao GP Algarve Suzuki – 14th and 18th position for Aleix Espargarò and Maverick Vinales in the qualifying session valid for the Algarve Grand Prix, penultimate round of the 2021 MotoGP world championship.

Despite the great work carried out between yesterday and today's free practice, the Italian team was unable to optimize the potential of its RS-GP in the long bends of Portimao, an aspect which forced the riders to qualify below expectations.

A situation that will have to push Espargarò and Vinales into a comeback race tomorrow.

Statements Aleix Espargarò GP Algarve Portimao Qualifying

“If we look at the result it might seem like a bad day, in reality there are many positive aspects beyond qualifying. If we suffered this morning with the cold, in FP4 with some changes to the bike and the higher temperatures I managed to have a good pace. This gives me hope for the race, provided I get a good start and be aggressive in the early stages. Unfortunately, throughout the weekend so far we have struggled to get the tires up to temperature, this makes the RS-GP unstable and leads me to make many mistakes. But being in the top 6-8, in terms of pace, is a possible result."

Declarations Maverick Vinales GP Algarve Portimao Qualifying

“It's true that the weekend isn't going as we hoped but we always have to think about our real objective, which at the moment is not the result but the feeling. If we improve that everything else will come automatically. This track evidently amplifies our difficulties, which perhaps in Misano I was able to overcome with my riding style. Let's see tomorrow, the warmup will be essential to find something that will allow us to make a step in the race."