First Aprilia MotoGP podium ‘like a dream, I always believed’ - Espargaro

Aleix Espargaro has claimed a sensational first MotoGP podium for Aprilia after holding off Jack Miller for third. 

Espargaro was immediately in the thick of things as he gained five places on the opening lap to slot into second behind brother Pol. 

The Spaniard then challenged the Honda rider for the lead on lap two but ran wide at turn seven - a corner that ultimately cost him second to Alex Rins as he made the same mistake later on. 

However, Espargaro produced a brilliant final few laps to hold off Miller who was fastest out of the three riders. 

"It’s like a dream! I’m super happy. It has been a long way to arrive here. Step-by-step I always believed in the project and I work more than ever, so for everybody in Aprilia this is like a dream," said Espargaro after making history.  

"I want to enjoy, but believe me I want more and more and we are in a good moment. 

"We have to keep working hard and I would like to say thanks to all of them. It hasn’t been an easy race and I didn’t want to make any mistakes. 

"I had a little bit more pace but this is the first podium and is for everybody."

The podium comes at a time where ‘the future looks good’ as Aprilia are set to go full factory for next year, while multiple race winner Maverick Vinales has been confirmed alongside Espargaro for 2022. 

Espargaro added: "Next year we are going to be full factory and also Maverick [Vinales] is joining the team. 

"The future looks good for us and obviously the season is still on and I want more and more. It’s not enough for me. 

"Now I have a lot less pressure because everybody was asking me ‘is this race the podium one, is this race the podium one’, so finally let’s go for more and Aragon is a circuit I really love."