Pol Espargaro not surprised by brother Aleix’s Suzuki pace

Former Moto2 world champion Pol Espargaro says he was not surprised to see brother Aleix Espargaro impress on his factory Suzuki debut in Valencia last week.

Aleix finished just one second off the best pace set by reigning world champion Marc Marquez on his GSX-RR debut at the Ricardo Tormo track in Spain.

The former Forward Yamaha Racing rider, who dominated the new Open class in 2014 with a pole position in Assen and podium at Motorland Aragon, finished 10th overall in the Valencia showdown with a best pace of 1.31.973.

Younger brother Pol, who finished the test in an excellent fourth position, said: “I always knew how fast my brother is but the other people didn’t know. Now he’s showing what he can do and for sure he will show more.”

Pol believes though that tougher times are ahead of Aleix, who will be out on the GSX-RR again in Jerez later this month, when the 2015 winter testing campaign kicks off at the Sepang track in Malaysia next February.

The new Suzuki has been 12mph slower than its Honda, Yamaha and Ducati rivals and the Japanese factory has also struggled with traction control settings on its Mitsubishi software.

Pol added: “The most difficult thing for him will come in Malaysia. That is a long track with long straights and the bike is not already really fast. Also when he goes to the new track with his bike the electronics will not be perfect and he will lose some time. The more difficult period is coming but he is already fast.”