Le Mans looks like a simple track from the outside. It isn’t. The gaps are always razor-thin, there are very few points where you can make a real difference, and the weather always plays its part. I arrived with a lot of motivation — and I was motivated — but from Friday I could tell it wasn’t going to be an easy weekend.
Seventh in pre-qualifying. Into Q2 in the final minutes, but I wasn’t feeling right. Working on my riding, sorting out details, trying to adapt. Step by step.
Saturday, a surprise.
I wasn’t expecting to be that competitive in the Sprint, given the previous Saturdays. Third place — hard-fought, always in the mix, but third. An unexpected result that gave us confidence for Sunday. Then came the rain in the forecast and we didn’t really know what to expect.
After the morning rain, we started in dry conditions.
Good start, I took the lead. And that’s when the strangest race of my season began.
I wasn’t fast. Pace-wise I wasn’t lapping the way I wanted. But I was at the front, and every lap I tried to patch things up — pushing the bike harder than usual, leaning on the front when the rear started to drop off. That’s what you do when you’re not at your best: you manage, you hang on, you don’t give up.
I saw Jorge pass Acosta. I knew he was coming. I gave one last push, but it wasn’t enough — the grip was running out, first the rear, then the front too. Three laps from the end, he got past me.
It stings. I won’t pretend it doesn’t. Being out front for so many laps and getting overtaken that close to the flag always leaves something inside you. But honestly — I don’t even know how I managed to stay ahead for that long with the pace I had. In the end it was the maximum I could do this weekend, and I have to be happy with that.
Second place. First in the championship, one point ahead of Jorge.
An all-Aprilia podium — the first in the manufacturer’s history. Ogura third, his first MotoGP podium. A special moment, one to share.
The championship is really tight now, and it’s getting serious. Barcelona is just a few days away.
See you there.
