It may not have been in the way intended, but Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was certainly a protagonist of one of the resounding images of the #ArgentinaGP after he slid out of contention and made contact with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) – with the Spaniard immediately rushing over to check on his competitor.
Good to see Espargaro rush over to see how Dovizioso is & apologise #Sportsmanship ???? #ArgentinaGP pic.twitter.com/Vtpp9SB7EB
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 9 April 2017
The incident aside, Espargaro again found the new RS-GP getting better and better as the laps went on – with the target in Texas now to confirm that pace the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini showed in their stunning season opener.
Aleix Espargaro, DNF: "In the opening laps I was a bit slower than the other riders, but then things began to work right. Just as I was starting to increase my pace and when I had gotten close to the group, I saw Dovi off the line and I moved in. Unfortunately, I had to brake hard and I lost the front. I am really sorry for the team and for Andrea, who was unwillingly involved in my crash. It's a pity because in the second part of the race we could have done well. Now we will head to Austin to confirm our progress."
No time to regreat, we have such a good pace & feeling with the Aprilia so can't wait for Austin! ????✊️ pic.twitter.com/53gSR4vUna
— Aleix Espargaró (@AleixEspargaro) 10 April 2017