motorcycle
MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro won the Argentine Grand Prix in Termas de Rio Hondo on Sunday, celebrating his maiden victory. The Spaniard prevailed in the third race of the season in front of his compatriots Jorge Martin (Ducati) and Alex Rins (Suzuki) and also gave Aprilia its first full success in the premier class.
The 32-year-old achieved this in his 200th MotoGP race. “I am very happy. It took so long to finally get to the top. With the pole I had the optimal starting position. But that put me under a lot of pressure because everyone expected me to win. It’s all the better that it worked out now,” said Espargaro, who took over the championship lead. In the still young season, no driver has made it onto the podium a second time.
Espargaro fought a gripping duel with Martin, who passed the pole setter right at the start and was subsequently able to maintain his lead. But five laps before the end, the Aprilia driver managed to counterattack and take the lead. Espargaro mightn’t take the lead anymore, the cheering in his own camp was limitless. Because it was also Aprilia’s 350th race in the MotoGP era. KTM rider Brad Binder finished sixth in the Spanish quadruple victory, which was completed by Joan Mir (Suzuki).
His colleague Miguel Oliveira, who had triumphed in Indonesia two weeks ago, came in 13th. The six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez (Honda) was once more absent in Argentina, the Spaniard is struggling with visual impairments once more following a fall. The next race will be in Austin/Texas next weekend.
Martin was at the “absolute limit”
With 45 points, Espargaro is now seven points ahead of second-placed Binder in the overall standings. “It’s so special, we deserve it,” said the Aprilia man. Congratulations came immediately from the competition. “I’m really happy for Aleix and his first win. I was at the absolute limit,” explained Martin.
In Moto2, Italian Celestino Vietto previously won ahead of Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra and Japan’s Ai Ogura. In Moto3, the Spaniard Sergio Garcia (GasGas) finished first ahead of Dennis Foggia (ITA/Honda) and the Japanese Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna).