Ducati’s ‘obnoxious’ lead on MotoGP bikes ‘ridiculous’

The Aprilia rider struggled to finish ninth at Phillip Island on Sunday with an apparent electronics problem, leaving him 27 points adrift of the new championship leader Francesco Bagnaia only two races left.

Espargaro has been in contention for the title all season since taking his first MotoGP win in Argentina, but says there has “never been” the much-improved RS-GP anywhere close to the Ducati’s level.

With six of the eight Ducatis finishing in the top 10 at Phillip Island, Espargaro admits it is “disappointing” as the bike is good enough to allow “everyone who rides it” to be strong.

“It’s funny because very recently, three or four months ago, everyone was saying that Aprilia was ‘the new Ferrari,'” Espargaro said.

“I knew the bike I had. I know it’s a good bike; I know we’ve improved the bike a lot. But it’s nowhere near the best bike on the grid. This has never happened.

“Ducati made a lot of mistakes at the beginning of the year and they are still paying for it now. But the Ducati results today…it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t matter who’s riding the bike, they’re in the top six .. It’s very frustrating.”

While Espargaro still has a mathematical chance of winning the championship, he admits during a quick series of races that Aprilia “proved that we are not together as a team” and “are not at the level to fight for the title”.

“It’s more difficult,” Espargaro said when asked what he thinks about his championship hopes now.

“I think in the last three races we proved that we are not together as a team.

“We are not at the level to fight for this title. We dropped many, many points because in the last three races we scored eight to 10 points (12 points).

“It’s funny if you want to fight for the title. That’s the problem. It is still possible; I am very proud of my championship.

“With two races left, Aleix and Aprilia are still in the title race.

“So I’m proud. But with Peco and Ducati form, with one race advantage [in terms of points] on me, it will be very difficult.”