MotoGP Argentina: Espargaro’s dreams come true - ‘Three years ago I was done’

Aleix Espargaro’s dream came true on Sunday as the Aprilia rider claimed his and the Noale factory’s debut MotoGP win.

A six year project came to fruition in some style as Espargaro claimed the victory, and took charge in the rider’s standings, from pole position on his 200th premier class start at the Argentina GP.

“I’m extremely happy,” Espargaro beamed from Parc Fermé. “I’m very, very happy about this week in Argentina. Overall in Qatar and Indonesia I also felt very strong. I felt competitive.

“Even in the preseason I felt that I had the best machine I ever had in my career.

“Obviously in the preseason it’s very difficult to judge if this bike will allow you to fight for a top ten, top five or to win but I’ve been very close to the fastest guys in every preseason test. Also in Qatar I felt strong, so step by step we show our potential. I think we did a solid weekend. Today hasn’t been a wet race or a lucky race or whatever. I think yesterday we proved that we were the fastest on the qualifying and also today in the race and we are leading [the championship], so this is like a dream. I’m extremely happy because I feel that this championship is one of the most difficult championships ever, because the level of my mates is huge. The level of every factory is very, very high.

“Sincerely, the race was not easy. I expect a little bit easier because this morning I was very strong, but I didn’t find the grip during the race, was very hot. After Moto2 the bike was very, very slippery but I think that I did a smart race and finally after this long period with Aprilia finally we achieved the victory, we are leading. This is like a dream. Feet on the ground but I think we truly deserve this. I’m 32 but finally I arrive and I