As has happened often in this first part of the season, the end result does not do justice to the hard work done by Aleix and Aprilia. In a race that was more than 20 seconds faster than last year’s, the Spanish rider finished just 15 seconds behind the winner. In 2019, that gap was 34 seconds.
This is undeniable progress and Aleix confirms it in no uncertain terms, but the thirteenth-place finish is no reward for this satisfaction.
Bradley Smith’s Sunday took an unpleasant turn straight away with a crash in the early stages of the race. The British rider was able to re-join but, with a damaged RS-GP, he had to settle for crossing the line when the chequered flag came out.
Both riders will have a day of testing on Tuesday on this same track, which will host the MotoGP round a second time next weekend.
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