Ducati rival Enea Bastianini hit out at Aprilia rival Aleix Espargaro after the Barcelona Grand Prix, claiming he spent the complete race supporting his pal Jorge Martin‘s title bid.
After a sluggish begin from second on the grid, Espargaro settled into fourth place in Barcelona, appearing as a rear-gunner for championship protagonist Martin, who couldn’t afford to lose too many positions in his title combat 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 compelled 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 in the present day and it has been not possible to do greater than my consequence. Not joyful about what Aleix had completed as a result of for me it isn’t right,” stated the Italian.
“With out the combat with Aleix, [it] in all probability was doable to do one thing extra for myself however he did all of the race for Martin.
“Properly, in fact, he’s actually mates with Jorge. however for the remainder on the observe you’ll be able to’t do one thing like this.”
Enea Bastianini, Ducati Group
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
He added: “It was his final race and possibly he might have achieved a greater consequence and even fought for the rostrum,” mirrored a visibly offended Bastianini.
“I perceive that he has a fantastic 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 workforce 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,” stated 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 after I was on the grid, [it was] very motivating for me as a result of it was the final one.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Group
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
“As soon as the race had began I used to be fully targeted, I rode on the restrict of the bike greater than ever in my profession, attempting to guard him [Martin] as a lot as doable, and I am very joyful and proud to have the ability to assist him a bit bit.”
Nevertheless, Espargaro denied that he wasn’t driving slowly on objective 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 dropping fourth place on the penultimate lap, as proof that he was pushing as arduous he might in his ultimate grand prix look.
Responding to Bastianini’s allegations, Espargaro fired again by saying the Italian was just too sluggish for somebody driving a manufacturing unit Ducati bike.
“They instructed me that Enea stated that it isn’t lovely to finish a profession like this, not preventing for the rostrum,” he stated.
“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 combat however he was three seconds behind me with the manufacturing unit 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 doable.
“If he thinks that I attempted to be sluggish it is not possible. I rode over the restrict, I used to be the one one to have the ability to put a motorbike in the midst of the Ducati combine. So I used to be over the restrict all of the race.”
