Crash costs Espargaro track time in Sepang

Two crashes blighted Pol Espargaro’s week in Malaysia but overall the Tech3 rider was pleased with the performance of the bike and some of the lessons learned during the initial three days at Sepang.

Espargaro was six tenths slower than his teammate, Bradley Smith, in the overall combined times for the week but his early morning crash on Wednesday cost him dearly and robbed him of a true qualifying simulation.

“Wednesday morning started very well,” said Espargaro. “With the used tire I did a good time but when we fitted the new tire, I got a little nervous and I crashed. I had to go out with the second bike because the first was badly damaged and with which I have set the fastest time, but I think we could have done much better. We had to stop for a long time when they were fixing my preferred bike, because the spare bike was almost never used this week and had a different setting.”

Having impressed at Sepang 1 with his mature and confident riding Espargaro was more ragged at Sepang 2, the much higher track conditions led to less grip and this played a roll in his riding this week, and overall the 2013 Moto2 world champion was disappointed with the results of the last day but pleased with the progress made overall before the next test in Qatar.

“We leave not very disappointed because the third day could have rolled over. And if I hadn’t crashed in a fast corner and damaged the bike we would be higher in the standings. I know we can do more and I am calm because the first test were fast.”