THE SECOND ROW SLIPS THROUGH HIS FINGERS BY 51 THOUSANDTHS BUT QUALIFIERS ARE GOOD FOR ALEIX IN QATAR

As always in MotoGP, the numbers are the only objective value on which to base any analysis. And in the case of Aleix and his Aprilia, the results are positive all around. Despite a slower track than last week, with slightly unfavourable grip conditions, Aleix maintained good consistency in terms of pace which, thanks to the times he did yesterday, meant he could afford to concentrate his work on tomorrow’s 22 laps. Things got off on the right track straight away in qualifying, with Aleix putting an outstanding time on the boards on his first try. With the second new tyre, a few small mistakes kept him from taking home a spot on the second row which seemed well within his potential, slipping through his fingers under the chequered flag by just 51 thousandths. The Spanish rider will start from the seventh spot on the grid tomorrow.

Lorenzo Savadori is still struggling, especially on his time attacks. Penalised by his unfamiliarity with the new bike and the category, Lorenzo still demonstrated progress. Especially in terms of pace, as shown by his best time in FP4 (1'56.421), more than three tenths faster than his times here a week ago.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"I am generally pleased with the way we worked this weekend. In spite of a rather different track from last week, with less grip, I feel, if it’s possible, even more comfortable astride the RS-GP. I don’t know what to expect from the race, but we’ll be in the mix. Our pace has been consistently in line with the leading group. The only slightly disappointing thing is not having done better in qualifying. I exploited the first tyre well, but with the second, I made a few mistakes and it wasn’t the lap I wanted."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"The thing that caused me the most problems, especially today, was the wind. The track was in very complicated conditions and in qualifying, for example, I was on a good time until the third sector but then I lost half a second in the last few fast corners. I still don't have full confidence with the bike and tyres and having a variable like the wind doesn't help. Tomorrow in the race I hope the shoulder will respond better than last week and allow me to maintain my pace".