The Spaniard Aleix Espargaro signed the very first pole position for his team Aprilia in MotoGP on Saturday in Argentina, ahead of his compatriot Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) and the Italian Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46).
The reigning French world champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) will start on the second row in sixth place, Sunday at 3:00 p.m. local (8:00 p.m. French) on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
Pol Espargaro (Honda) and Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) will be just ahead”Fourth” in the second line. The Italian vice-world champion Pecco Bagnaia will start in 14th place only.
“What I feel, I would say it’s pride, reacted hot Espargaro. We have worked very, very hard for five years, (…) we are approaching the limit and the best bikes in the world“.
Espargaro, 32, had already taken pole twice, but on a Yamaha in 2014 and a Suzuki in 2015, before joining Aprilia in 2017.
The Italian brand made its return to MotoGP in 2015, following a first period in the premier class from 1994 to 2000 (500cc) then from 2002 to 2004 (MotoGP). She is now aiming for her first victory in MotoGP, a category created in 2002.
In the third row, we will find the Suzukis ofAlex Rins and of Joan Mirfollowed by the French Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac).
Already forfeited in Indonesia a fortnight ago following a very violent fall during the warm-up in Indonesia, Mark Marquez (Honda) is still absent.
The Spaniard, six-time MotoGP champion, is the last winner here in Argentina, in 2019, the last two editions having been canceled due to the pandemic. He withdrew due to his double vision problems (diplopia), awakened by his fall, yet another episode of the ordeal he has been experiencing since his broken arm at the first Grand Prix of 2020.
