It’s been a heck of a season for Aleix Espargaro. The Aprilia rider claimed his first ever World Championship victory in Argentina earlier in the year and has followed that up with five more podiums. Bar a couple of exceptions, he hadn’t finished outside the top six either as he mounted a serious title challenge.
Espargaro sits third in the Championship, on course for comfortably his best ever campaign, but his recent form has seen his title challenge tail off, picking up just 12 points in the last three races. Following the Australian GP, there was a stark admission in truth from the number 41, as he questioned the togetherness of his Noale factory team.
"I think that on the last three races we proved that we are not together as a team. We are not at the level to fight for this title. We actually conceded many, many points, because at the end in the last three races we did 8 or 10 points [5 and 7], which is ridiculous if you want to fight for the title. This is the problem."
"I mean, we made many mistakes on the last three races. You guys know it. And it's a shame on Sunday again. I don't know what was going on in the last laps. I think Maverick [Viñales] had exactly the same problem as me."
As a result of his recent form, Espargaro sits 27 points off new Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), with only 50 points still on the board. The Spaniard has refused to wave the white flag, but acknowledges he has a mountain to climb.
"It's still possible. I'm really proud of my championship. I mean two races to go and Aleix and Aprilia are still in the game for the title. So I'm proud, but with Pecco and Ducati’s form and one race advantage against me, it's going to be very tricky."
Indeed it has been quite the turnaround for a rider who had only two premier class podiums to his name prior to 2022, and a manufacturer who only had one since they returned to the World Championship in 2015. He may have been wallowing in disappointment post-race at Phillip Island, but Espargaro was also quick to point out the progress made by the team, and the task they are up against in the shape of a dominant Ducati.
"It's funny because not too long ago, 3-4 months ago, everybody was saying that the Aprilia was the new Ferrari. And I knew the bike that I have, I know it’s a good bike, I know that we improved the bike a lot, but it's not at the level of the best bike of the grid at all.
"But it has never been like this. They made many mistakes at the beginning of the year and they are paying for it now, but today the result of the Ducatis today is, I mean I don't want to use names, but it's ridiculous.
"You see all the riders, it doesn't matter who rides this bike, but it is always on top, in the top six, it’s frustrating."
If that indeed is the case, then Aprilia and Espargaro have something to look forward to as they head to Sepang, a circuit where they looked so strong during pre-season, this weekend. It presents a last-ditch opportunity to save his bid for the title and cap off what has been a memorable year for them.
If that indeed is the case, then Aprilia and Espargaro have something to look forward to as they head to Sepang, a circuit where they looked so strong during pre-season, this weekend. It presents a last-ditch opportunity to save his bid for the title and cap off what has been a memorable year for them.