MotoGP news: Aleix Espargaro describes German GP as 'impossible' after front tyre issues
- Sean Fisher
- 21 June 2022
Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro was unable to build on his fourth place in qualifying during Sunday's German Grand Prix, with the Spaniard struggling throughout with tyre issues.
After qualifying fourth, Aleix Espargaro would've been eyeing up a podium position for Sunday's German Grand Prix.
But the Aprilia rider had to deal with front tyre issues for the entire 30 laps around Sachsenring, leaving him in the same position he started.
Unable to keep the pace with leader and race winner Fabio Quartararo, Espargaro finished 9s behind the Frenchman, leaving him with just 13 points from the race.
As a result, Quartararo extended his championship lead over his Spanish rival, with the Yamaha driver now leading the standings by 34 points.
I mean... 🤤🤪 @MotoGP pic.twitter.com/H8YdcKyeWl
— Fabio Quartararo (@FabioQ20) June 21, 2022
Following the race, Espargaro explained why he was unable to catch the leading pack, with the 32-year-old describing the vibrations from his front tyre.
"From lap one when I changed the front tyre on the grid and I started the formation lap, I felt a lot of vibration on the front,"
"I was very angry but I had no time obviously to stop and change the tyre because I put the new tyre on [when I was] on the grid.
"The tyre started to jump. It happened to more than seven riders on Friday, also [Joan] Mir in the qualifying.
"My tyres were always perfect, but today it was unbelievable.
These slowmo shots from the #GermanGP 🇩🇪 are worth watching! 💯
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 21, 2022
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VzXYXGOp4U
"[There was] a lot of vibration, a lot of chattering. The first six, seven laps with the new rear tyre, I could manage it quite well.
"But then it was impossible. My best sector during the weekend was sector three, the fast part of the track, and it was impossible for me to ride.
"It was question of avoiding the crash all the time.
"It was surprising, because I was lapping very, very slow, but even like this I was in the podium [fight] all race."
Espargaro will look to close the gap to Quartararo when MotoGP heads to the Netherlands' TT Assen next Sunday.
