Espargaro was within the combat for a top-five place when his RS-GP out of the blue slowed on lap eight of Saturday’s 12-lap race, won by Jorge Martin’s Pramac Ducati, forcing him into the pits and retirement.
It follows the same episode in final weekend’s Indian Grand Prix however, whereas Espargaro put that problem down to the intense heat at the Buddh International Circuit, this time he was quite a bit a loss to clarify what triggered the difficulty.
“I do not perceive what is going on on; the issues of the previous are coming again,” a visibly annoyed Espargaro informed reporters after the race. “I do not actually know what to say.
“In Buddh one a part of the bike was broken in qualifying, and one other within the race. Right this moment, it occurred once more.
“I feel in relation to the races I am proving to be very aggressive. This time I used to be [fighting for] fifth once more, driving very quick.
“I can not do any extra, and this could take away the keenness and the will from anybody. Proper now I’d select to go house.
“One of many cylinder banks of the engine stopped, and the bike would not go over 80km/h. This time, in contrast to Buddh, the engine has been broken and we’ve to alter it.
“It is true that we’ve issues when it is highly regarded, however I do not assume this was the issue, as a result of the temperature right here isn’t prefer it was in India.”
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Workforce
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
After rising as a title contender with Aprilia for the primary time final 12 months, Espargaro suffered a notable drop-off in kind in the direction of the tip of the 12 months, failing to complete within the prime eight within the last 5 races of the season.
That included a motorcycle drawback that pressured him to start out from the pits at Motegi final 12 months, and one other drawback within the Valencia finale that pressured him to retire.
“It at all times occurs within the second half of the championship, not within the first half,” identified Espargaro.
“The engineers might imagine it is a matter of unhealthy luck as a result of it is a small half like this. However I do not consider in unhealthy luck, so it must be investigated.”
After Espargaro’s exit, Aprilia got here away with a single level from the dash as Maverick Vinales got here house ninth, with Raul Fernandez finishing the highest 10 on his RNF-run satellite tv for pc RS-GP.