MotoGP Mandalika: Too many unknowns for Espargaro - ‘I don’t know what to expect’

Aleix Espargaro is raring to get back to work after starting the 2022 MotoGP season challenging for podium contention on the Aprilia.

Positive performances at the recent test on Lombok Island provided the Spaniard with confidence in the newest addition to the Grand Prix calendar, but with questions over the resurfaced layout, new tyre allocation and the seemingly ever-rising temperatures, Mandalika is still very much an unknown for the RS-GP rider.

“Sincerely, I’m a little bit worried because I don’t know how will react the bike,” Espargaro explained on Thursday regarding the new tyres on offer from Michelin. “We did not use this casing from long time ago. The last time I used I think was Thailand and I don’t have really good memories. Obviously the bike was completely different but I remember that after lap ten, the bike start to spin even in fourth gear in the straight. I’m a little bit worried because it’s new tarmac also, that it wasn’t on the test and also the tyres are completely different. I don’t know what to expect sincerely.

“I can’t wait to ride tomorrow. I was very strong in the test. I finished P3 after three days and I was close to half-second under on my last lap, fast lap and I crashed so I have confidence in this circuit but many things have changed in the last month. So I don’t know how to expect.”

While Thursday saw temperatures on Lombok reaching into the mid-30’s, the ‘feels like’ translation sat at around 48℃, with the track surface hitting 65℃ and similar forecast for Friday’s afternoon practice. It’s a tough ask for the MotoGP machines across the weekend.

“And the riders!” Espargaro exclaimed. “The bikes, actually on my meeting today I said to my engineers that we have to try our best to make the