Aleix Espargaró had a decent start in the Sepang sprint race from the sixteenth spot on the grid, managing to recover two positions by the end of the first lap. After overtaking several other riders in the early stages, the Spanish rider settled into twelfth place, finishing the sprint race as the first of the Aprilia riders across the line.
Maverick Viñales, after a promising Friday with fourth place in the practice session, was unable to repeat the performance in Q2, qualifying twelfth. In the sprint race, Viñales battled initially in the top ten, but progressively lost positions, finishing fourteenth.
ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
“I must say that I am satisfied with my performance in the sprint race. I managed to come back and overtake several riders with a better pace than I thought I’d have. We know that the heat conditions the way the bike performs, but in spite of this, I am pleased with the result and the pace I maintained after starting from so far back.”
MAVERICK VIÑALES
“When I’m in the group, I am unable to stop the bike and I always go long. It is a problem that I’ve been having for a few races now and we are trying to figure out what is causing it. I hope to improve in the long race so I can close out the weekend in the best possible way.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO
“In qualifying, we were unable to repeat Friday’s performance and, unfortunately, in MotoGP, starting from behind always compromises the race. Maverick also had some difficulties braking and going into corners that we are analysing. Aleix had a good start and a good comeback, but he was also conditioned by his starting position.”
