In the last race at Catalunya a couple of weeks ago, Team Suzuki Ecstar grabbed the headlines when both Spanish rider Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales lined up at the sharp-end of the grid, having 1st and 2nd on the position.

But during the grand prix, both riders encountered problems that eventually cost them a podium finish. While Espargaro had a nightmare of a start, Vinales got himself relegated further back of the front runners as the elite racers began to make their move.

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The Suzuki Ecstar riders were determined to finish their home race to bring a good impression to the team. Unfortunately, it was just a bad day for the duo.

Espargaro pushed hard and increased his pace throughout the race, eventually putting him in the hunt for 4th place with Yamaha Monster Tech3 Bradley Smith.  But with the increasing temperature on the track, Espargaro stumbled on the last corner and couldn't get back to the race.

Vinales, on the other hand, thrived to reclaim his lost position at the front little by little. He was coming smoothly back on the race and seen fighting with Estrella Galicia MRC Vds Scott Redding. Despite some of the rider already retiring from race, Vinales just couldn't close the deal, finishing 6^th.

Now with the weekend Assen Grand Prix approaching, the elder of the Espargaro brothers believed his GSXRR will favor this circuit and this time there's no reason he can't pose a challenge for the fastest time like what he and his teammates did at Catalunya last time out.

The 25-year-old Spaniard consider the Cathedral as one of his best track via MotoGP.com, being a memorable circuit to him because he got his first ever pole finish and the GSXRR is very much suitable there. The circuit has a lot of change of directions which is perfect for their chassis and set-up. In Barcelona, Aleix gained a lot of confidence, experiencing the real potential of their machine during the weekend.

Despite all the improvements he had with the GSXRR so far, failing to finish three successive races is somewhat a setback for his MotoGp career, and,he is eager to make it all right this weekend.

TagsCatalunya, Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales, Suzuki Ecstar, MotoGP Update