Aprilia enjoyed a strong Friday at Phillip Island, with its flowing nature and the generally good acceleration of the RS-GP helping Maverick Vinales to third overall on the timesheets.
Espargaro then qualified fourth for Saturday’s rescheduled grand prix, but couldn’t maintain this in the race, dropping to eighth at the chequered flag as Vinales struggled to 11th.
Both Aprilia riders struggled for rear traction, which Espargaro called “insane”.
“It was embarrassing today. We were not competitive,” Espargaro said after last Saturday’s race.
“We had a lot of spin. I never expected to arrive 10 seconds off the victory or the podium.
“The spin level we had this weekend was insane. I tried to manage the tyre.
“At the beginning I could go faster, sincerely, but I knew that I couldn’t make it to the finish line.
“So, I decided to start tyre saving, but even [with that] the last two laps [the drop] was dramatic.”
Source: Autosport