Aleix Espargaro: We're not afraid of the challenge

Aleix Espargaro heads into round four of the 2021 MotoGP season following a third consecutive top ten result for Aprilia at Portimao.

The Spaniard took a sixth place finish at the Algarve International Circuit, which means 2021 is the first time that Aprilia and Espargaro together have taken three consecutive top tens to open a season. 

"We are definitely coming into this weekend with a positive outlook. In the first three races, we tackled two circuits which were both particular in their own way, but still showing that we have the pace to battle with the best," said Espargaro. 

"Jerez is a ‘traditional’ track, if you will, but very complete and therefore demanding. 

"In the winter tests I felt good here, but now we’ll find different conditions and, more importantly, fierce rivals. 

"We're not afraid of the challenge because we are working well and we need to keep growing."

Espargaro was less than four seconds off fellow Spaniard Joan Mir who finished third during the Portuguese Grand Prix, which is another indication of just how close they are to the top, but also how far Aprilia has come from last year to now. 

Jerez has not quite been as happy a hunting ground for Espargaro compared to other Spanish circuits such as Aragon, but the 31 year-old does have a best finish of fifth, which if he can replicate that this weekend would be his best result for Aprilia to date. 

There are no secrets around Jerez that the whole grid doesn’t already know, however, the Angel-Nieto circuit remains one of the better venues yearly to provide an accurate examination of where every team lies in the pecking order.