Pol Espargaro made his first competitive MotoGP appearance of the year during Friday’s practice session at Brno, stepping in to replace the injured Maverick Vinales at Tech3. The KTM test rider finished 15th in the drying morning session and slipped to 17th in the rain-delayed afternoon hour, setting the tone for a demanding return to racing.
Espargaro lapped 1.8 seconds behind Ducati leader Marc Marquez and was 0.9 seconds behind the fastest KTM RC16 ridden by his teammate Enea Bastianini. Reflecting on the day, Espargaro described the level of competition as intense despite the challenges of returning after months without rain riding.
“The level the guys have is insane,”
Espargaro shared.
“It felt crazy today, because the last time I rode in the rain was quite a few months ago.”
—Pol Espargaro
Relishing the Return to Brno Circuit
Espargaro was excited to ride at Brno, a circuit that has been absent from the MotoGP calendar for five years. He emphasized how much the riders missed the track until experiencing it again, highlighting its unique characteristics that demand a blend of smooth flow and aggressive attack through its fast and slow corners.
He added,
“It’s one of those old-school tracks. Racing here is fantastic.”
His enthusiasm reflected the respect that many riders have for this long, technical, and challenging venue filled with elevation changes.
Adapting to the Tech3 KTM Bike Setup
Espargaro is competing using Maverick Vinales’ RC16 setup but has made several adjustments based on his own testing experience. His approach aims to deliver valuable data back to the factory engineers and improve the bike’s electronics to better suit his riding style.
“I am working with Maverick’s bike, but with some settings similar to the ones I use during testing,”
he explained.
“We made some small changes, on the electronics for example, to try bringing more data to the factory engineers. It has been a good day. I look forward to tomorrow on the dry.”
—Pol Espargaro
Upcoming Challenges in Qualifying and Practice Sessions
Espargaro faces a competitive Saturday with the final practice followed by Qualifying 1, where he will go head-to-head with top Ducati riders Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio di Giannantonio, Fabio Quartararo, and KTM’s factory rider Brad Binder. He acknowledged the difficulty of Q1 but sees it as an important learning experience.
“Q1 is a tough one, with big names, so it will be a good opportunity to learn,”
Espargaro added.
Enea Bastianini’s Strong Friday Performance
Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini made a notable return after recovering from food poisoning, posting his best Friday result of the season. His performance earned him an immediate place in Qualifying 2 by finishing eighth, lifting his spirits after an unsettled week.
“I am still not feeling 100%, but we reached Q2 for the first time this season!”
Bastianini said.
“It’s important for us to have that top 10 straight on a Friday, and for me after a difficult week at home, it is good for morale.”
—Enea Bastianini
Looking Ahead: What Espargaro’s Return Means for MotoGP
Pol Espargaro’s comeback brings fresh excitement to the Tech3 team as he adapts quickly to a highly competitive environment. His insights from the weekend will not only inform his own performance but also provide valuable feedback to the factory engineers working to optimize the KTM RC16. As the season advances, Espargaro’s hopeful and energetic presence at Brno sets the stage for a potentially strong run of races ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. It’s unfortunate, but entertainment often brings in more money than sports. MotoGP is trying to benefit from this trend. However, the current MotoGP lacks personalities that can make it exciting and dramatic enough for viewers.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is known for uniquely winning World Championships in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1. He displayed equal talent and courage in both sports.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Motorcycling isn’t as popular as football. Even with Liberty Media’s heavy promotion, most people don’t feel connected to it. In our society, people have plenty of entertainment choices, so motorcycling struggles to stand out.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. The Ministry of Youth and Sports shared that hosting a Formula One event costs four times as much as a MotoGP race. Additionally, organizing MotoGP is less expensive than Formula E.
