VOLUME ISSUE MAY , P89
It was a third no-score in a row in the
Sprint races, Bagnaia now in a position
where he can no longer afford a single
mistake if he wants to join the all-time
greats and take three World Champion
-
ships in a row.
Bagnaia's blunder became Barcelona
bliss for Aleix Espargaro, who tearfully
announced his retirement during a press
conference on Thursday and stuck his
factory Aprilia on pole at his home race.
The Spaniard methodically worked his
way toward the front after several rid
-
ers threw it away in front of him. Most
notable of these was Raul Fernandez
on the Trackhouse Aprilia who led the
first half of the Sprint in superb style, but
over-rode the Aprilia on lap five, crash
-
ing out at turn 10. You couldn't help but
his competitors. Yet the French-
man, who tested at Mugello prior
to the Barcelona weekend, stated
at the post-race test that a big
change is coming after the Ital-
ian GP. "I'm looking forward to
the test we have in Mugello and
Valencia because it could be a big
change for us."
Briefly...
(Left) Enea Bastianini threw
away a solid points-scoring
finish by deliberately (and as it
turns out, correctly) disobeying
Stewards orders. (Below) It's a
miserable time for Jack Miller
(43) as the likable Australian
dropped out of another GP.