---
title: "Espargaro takes RS-GP to best ever finish on his Aprilia debut"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/03/27/espargaro-takes-rs-gp-best-ever-finish-aprilia-debut/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-03-27T15:12:11Z"
modified: "2017-03-27T15:13:05Z"
---

# Espargaro takes RS-GP to best ever finish on his Aprilia debut

Aleix Espargaro gave Aprilia their best ever result with the RS-GP and their first top six finish since the Japanese Grand Prix of 2003 in last night’s Qatar season-opener.

The Spanish rider makes the move to Aprilia from Suzuki for 2017, a switch he was reluctant about to begin with. But hard work over the winter by the Noale factory saw Espargaro grow in confidence in the project.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/658074084.jpg)

With rain delaying the race, Espargaro knew the softer tyre was the way to go, not least because the RS-GP is kind on its rubber. After a shaky start, the Aprilia’s tyre conservation came into its own.

“This result comes after a lot of hard work over the winter,” said Espargaro.

“In the second half of the race, my RS-GP was spectacular. I had much more traction than my rivals and I was able to overtake easily. We knew that we could have an advantage in the poor grip conditions.

“The bike looks after the tyres well and even if I was unable to be as incisive as the others in the early laps, my overall pace was very good.”

Espargaro was locked into a lowly 15th on the grid after qualifying was cancelled, and he feels this cost him a shot at fighting for the podium.

Indeed, on the softer rubber, Espargaro was matching the pace of second-placed man Andrea Dovizioso, as well as Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi in third.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/658074138.jpg)

With the Honda of Dani Pedrosa struggling with his front tyre, Espargaro locked horns with his compatriot in the latter stages. The Aprilia rider held fifth briefly, but Pedrosa was able to sneak ahead and stay there on the run to the line, albeit only just.

At the chequered flag, Espargaro was just seven seconds off of the lead, which was 35 second closer than the top Aprilia rider was at this race 12 months ago.

“It was a pity about the starting position. Having to make up so many positions kept us from earning an even more surprising result, but it’s all good. We got off on the right foot and we want to continue.”

Team-mate Sam Lowes made it to the finish on his MotoGP debut, but was hindered by several early mistakes and change of balance in the latter laps. The Briton brought up the rear of the field in 18th.