- 2022-04-04
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Argentina: Aleix Espargaro Wins First MotoGP Race at 200th Attempt
Argentina Grand Prix watched Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) claimed his first victory of premier class at the 200th attempt and brought Aprilia's first win of MotoGP at the Termas de Río Hondo Circuit in the Province of Santiago del Estero.
He ended a record wait for a victory in any class spanning 283 races back to 2004.
This marks Aprilia took their first win after returning to MotoGP in 2015 and also their first podium since the 2021 British BP at Silverstone.
The 2nd position start Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) led the race until lap 20, but was overtaken by Aleix Espargaro at Turn 5. Then he finished 2nd, which is his first podium since the 2021 Valencian GP.
Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) started at 7th and moved up to 4th behind Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda). But Pol Espargaro crashed out on lap 11 and finally Alex Rins finished 3rd. This marks his first podium since the 2021 British BP.
His team-mate Joan Mir was 4th, while Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) salvaged 5th having started 13th.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) was a further 0.352s behind Francesco Bagnaia in sixth, Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) was 7th.
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Yamaha) retired the race due to technical problems. Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Ducati) crashed out.
Aleix Espargaro said, “I'm extremely happy because since Qatar I felt, even in the pre-season, I felt like I had the best bike I've ever had in my career. Obviously, in the pre-season it's very difficult to judge whether this bike would allow me to fight for a top ten, top five, or to win, but I've been very close to the fastest guys in pre-season testing. Also, in Qatar I felt strong and we have step-by-step shown a lot of potential. Yesterday we proved we were the fastest, and also today in the race it was not lucky or a wet race and now we are leading. I'm extremely happy because I feel like this championship is one of the most difficult ever because of the level. For me, I'm obviously extremely happy to win the race, but for me personally nothing really changed. I'm a very lucky person and my job is my passion, I have a dream family, and I have everything a man can dream of. Sincerely, a victory doesn't change so much in my life. But for everybody in Aprilia it is a huge step. I know that Jorge is a killer. I know that on Sunday he doesn't need to have the pace all the weekend to be fast. When the lights go out he is a killer, and it was not easy for me to follow him. I made a couple of mistakes; I played a lot with the electronics, engine brake and TC (traction control) to save the tyre, but sincerely he was brave because he had the most difficult part which was leading almost all the race and showing to everybody the pace. During my career I always try to respect my opponents, trying to overtake clean and we showed today that you can pass without needing to touch each other. But even if you do touch like we did in the last race it's nice and this is racing.”
Grand Prix Of Argentina Race Results- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / 41m 36.198s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +0.807s
- Alex Rins / Suzuki Ecstar / +1.330s
- Joan Mir / Suzuki Ecstar / +1.831s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +5.840s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +6.192s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +6.540s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +10.215s
- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +12.622s
- Enea Bastianini / Gresini Ducati / +12.987s
- Luca Marini / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +13.962s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +14.002s
- Miguel Oliveira / Red Bull KTM / +14.456s
- Jack Miller / Ducati Lenovo / +14.898s
- Alex Marquez / LCR Honda / +23.472s
- Raul Fernandez / KTM Tech3 / +25.862s
- Remy Gardner / KTM Tech3 / +28.711s
- Darryn Binder / WithU Yamaha RNF / +28.784s
- Stefan Bradl / Repsol Honda / +31.943s
- Andrea Dovizioso / WithU Yamaha RNF / +3 laps
Photo by MotoGP- source : MotoGP
