Lack of acceleration power continuing to cost Espargaro

The progress being made by Suzuki is such that finishing seventh in Jerez marked a disappointing day for Aleix Espargaro. With new parts being used for the first time the chatter problems that have plagued the team this year have been consigned to the early season but overall the Spaniard came away discontent with his home race.

“Always you can do more,” said Aleix. “I need to improve a little bit my riding style, try to pick up a little bit more the bike. I know we have a lack of power, but for me this is not the limit of this bike, we are missing something. We need to be stronger and faster with this bike, because if now they bring 15 horsepower more, we will not be able to fight for the victory, it means that this bike is better than we are showing.

“So tomorrow is going to be a very important day. We have something new to try regarding the electronics, also a new swing arm and some new stuff and I’m looking forward to have more traction, because Le Mans we will need it.”

Espargaro admitted that Le Mans will be a challenge for him with changes needed to his riding style and the bike to get the best result at the French circuit. With so many slow speed corners Le Mans punishes bikes that are struggling in the acceleration phase of the corner and it’s that area that Espargaro is lacking at the moment.

“It’s going to be a very difficult circuit for my riding style and also for our bike. Because we lose at the moment a lot of performance in acceleration. Again, not because of the power, but because we spin a little bit too much. But we have some good ideas, and some new software to try tomorrow regarding the electronics, and I hope we can improve, and I hope in Le Mans we will be able to fight for a better position than 7th.”