Consistency will be key to Aprilia's MotoGP title challenge, says Aleix Espargaro
- Sean Fisher
- 5 May 2022
After six races this season, Aleix Espargaro finds himself just seven points behind Fabio Quartararo in the standings, and the Spaniard believes Aprilia can mount a real title challenge.
For the first time in his career, Aleix Espargaro has managed consecutive podium positions with Aprilia, after finishing third in both Portugal and Spain.
Combined with a magnificent victory in Argentina at the start of April, the 32-year-old is enjoying a superb season and is closing in on Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in first place.
It's exceeded Aprilia's expectations at the start of the season, but Espargaro was quick to point out that his side are capable of challenging for the championship.
😃 #BelieveInYourself #Resilience pic.twitter.com/eDxZOisthY
— Aleix Espargaró (@AleixEspargaro) May 4, 2022
When asked if he is currently dreaming, Espargaro said "I will not wake up till Valencia.
"I started dreaming in Qatar, and I will try to keep my feet on the ground. But it's real, it's real.
"We are doing a great job. We have to know that for the moment the feeling that I have, with Fabio we don't really have his speed.
"We are missing something - not so much, because today I think if I was not stuck behind Jack [Miller] and Marc [Marquez] I would have been very close to the leaders.
"I missed something, so the key this year will be the consistency, making no mistakes, being there.
"We did almost 33% of the championship and we are just seven points behind him."
Our #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 podium boys 🤩
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) May 1, 2022
🥇 @PeccoBagnaia
🥈 @FabioQ20
🥉 @AleixEspargaro #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/reCXUO7ZZJ
Espargaro finished 10 seconds behind Quartararo in Spain, with the Frenchman crossing the line second after being narrowly beaten by Francesco Bagnaia on the final straight.
That took Ducati's Bagnaia to 56 points for the season putting him fifth in the standings, and his teammate Enea Bastianini is up in third on 69, just 13 behind the title-chasing Espargaro.
Up next in the MotoGP schedule is the French Grand Prix on May 15, taking place at the Bugatti Circuit. Jack Miller won here last year, with Quartararo earning himself pole position in qualifying.
