The Valencia GP started well for Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Aleix Espargaro, the Spaniard able to qualify at the head of the second row even with all his soft option tyres gone. Espargaro’s pace was fast in the early laps as he attempted to defend his fifth place in the race while still remaining within touching distance of the leading riders. As his rear tyre degraded, Espargaro’s performance began to drop as he lost traction and mid corner speed and he was subsequently unable to stay in the fight for sixth place with brother Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). He would eventually cross the line in eighth, 34.222 seconds behind the winner.