Pol Espargaro slams ‘way too aggressive’ Franc...

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Tech3 KTM stand-in rider Pol Espargaro says Franco Morbidelli’s field-scattering transfer on lap one of many Portuguese Grand Prix was ‘method too aggressive’.

Morbidelli was the largest loser within the Flip 5 incident, which ended with the VR46 Ducati rider on the ground and out of the race. However that didn’t cease Espargaro, who was among the many riders Morbidelli was seemingly attempting to go, from including to the criticism the Roman has already acquired in 2025.

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“He entered method, method, method too aggressively,” stated Espargaro, taking on the story. “He tried to overhaul… I feel there have been three or 4 guys there. He got here inside and he was getting into too aggressively for the primary lap, at Flip 5, the place you go downhill, with a full tank.

“He realised he couldn’t cease the bike, that’s why he went in between the riders. We had been fortunate as a result of I don’t know who was in entrance of me that additionally picked up the bike.

“He generated a sort of domino impact the place everybody goes [wide] and it’s tremendous messy. So once I was entering into, I had additionally guys in entrance that had been affected from this motion. And sure, we collided. However I imply, he was too optimistic [under braking]. And all of the sudden it was chaotic.”

Morbidelli didn’t attend media periods following the race to present his aspect of the story. Though the rider was reported to be unhurt following checks, the rationale given for his absence was medical precaution.

Whereas Morbidelli has historical past with an rising variety of riders on the grid, there’s an fascinating twist within the case of Espargaro. Earlier within the 12 months, Morbidelli lashed out at Pol’s brother, Aleix, following a conflict within the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaro alternate views at Silverstone

Photograph by: Adrian Dennis / AFP through Getty Photos

Since retiring on the finish of 2024, 36-year-old Aleix has been a check rider for Honda – he was racing in England solely as a wildcard.

In the meantime, regardless of underlining a couple of weeks in the past that he had by no means formally retired, Pol – who is 2 years youthful than Aleix – stated after the Portimao weekend that he had no want to return to life as a full-time MotoGP rider.

“I loved Malaysia,” stated Espargaro. “I loved Australia. I didn’t get pleasure from it right here a lot… I’m lacking my daughters. No, actually, I’m lacking my life out of right here.

“It’s actually exhausting to maintain taking that strain weekend by weekend and understanding that… yeah, I sound dangerous… however every little thing can end within the blink of a watch.

“I used to be not excited about this stuff once I was younger. However now I’m listening to the anthem at first of each race and I’m considering, ‘F***, it may very well be the final’, you realize? And that is very exhausting.

“Earlier than, I used to be alone – however not anymore. And I need to spend extra time with my household.”