Ducati rival Enea Bastianini hit out at Aprilia rival Aleix Espargaro after the Barcelona Grand Prix, claiming he spent the whole race supporting his good friend Jorge Martin‘s title bid.
After a gradual begin from second on the grid, Espargaro settled into fourth place in Barcelona, performing as a rear-gunner for championship protagonist Martin, who couldn’t afford to lose too many positions in his title battle with Francesco Bagnaia.
Bastianini challenged the Aprilia of Espargaro for the primary third of the race, however the Spaniard retaliated each time he made a transfer.
The Italian ultimately got here dwelling in seventh place after a mistake on the exit of Flip 1 pressured him to take the escape highway, leaving him to squabble for a spot within the decrease area of the highest 10.
It meant he misplaced the battle with Marc Marquez for third place within the championship, with the Gresini rider ending on the rostrum in second behind race winner Bagnaia.
Following the race, Bastianini made it clear that he discovered Espargaro’s defence unprofessional, particularly because the Aprilia rider was competing in his final grand prix as a full-time racer.
“I misplaced a lot time with Aleix at present and it has been inconceivable to do greater than my outcome. Not pleased about what Aleix had finished as a result of for me it isn’t right,” mentioned the Italian.
“With out the battle with Aleix, [it] in all probability was potential to do one thing extra for myself however he did all of the race for Martin.
“Effectively, after all, he’s actually mates with Jorge. however for the remainder on the observe you possibly can’t do one thing like this.”
Enea Bastianini, Ducati Crew
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
He added: “It was his final race and perhaps he may have achieved a greater outcome and even fought for the rostrum,” mirrored a visibly indignant Bastianini.
“I perceive that he has an excellent friendship with Jorge, however he has destroyed the race of different riders. There are issues that ought to not occur in a championship like ours.”
Pramac rider Martin took the chequered flag in third place in Barcelona to beat race winner Bagnaia by 10 factors within the championship.
It made him the first-ever rider to win a title on a satellite tv for pc bike within the MotoGP period, and first within the historical past of the premier class since Valentino Rossi’s triumph in 2001 on a Nastro Azzurro Honda.
It additionally meant that Martin will go to Espargaro’s present crew Aprilia because the reigning world champion in 2025, having signed a two-year cope with the Borgo Panigale marque.
Espargaro admitted that he needed to help Martin within the latter’s pursuit of the title, describing his countryman as a “little brother”.
“We each had a sense that it was all of the Ducatis towards him, which is totally regular,” mentioned Espargaro.
“They tried to retain the title and the sensation I had was I used to be the one one to guard my little brother and his title.
“So even once I was on the grid, [it was] very motivating for me as a result of it was the final one.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Crew
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
“As soon as the race had began I used to be fully centered, I rode on the restrict of the bike greater than ever in my profession, attempting to guard him [Martin] as a lot as potential, and I am very pleased and proud to have the ability to assist him a bit bit.”
Nonetheless, Espargaro denied that he wasn’t driving slowly on function with a purpose to stop the likes of Bastianini from catching Martin.
He referred to his hard-fought battle with the Gresini Ducati of Alex Marquez, which ended with him shedding fourth place on the penultimate lap, as proof that he was pushing as laborious he may in his closing grand prix look.
Responding to Bastianini’s allegations, Espargaro fired again by saying the Italian was just too gradual for somebody driving a manufacturing facility Ducati bike.
“They advised me that Enea mentioned that it isn’t stunning to finish a profession like this, not preventing for the rostrum,” he mentioned.
“The one factor I’ll reply [to is that] it isn’t honest to say this. Within the final lap I used to be ready for him to battle however he was three seconds behind me with the manufacturing facility Ducati. So I do not know what he was referring to.
“Alex Marquez did an incredible race and he beat me and Enea could not. So I did the utmost potential.
“If he thinks that I attempted to be gradual it is inconceivable. I rode over the restrict, I used to be the one one to have the ability to put a motorcycle in the midst of the Ducati combine. So I used to be over the restrict all of the race.”
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