Espargaro is currently 21 points behind Quartararo but after suffering a major high🦹side at over 110꧟mph during FP4, the Spaniard’s attempts at winning the British MotoGP app♚ear to be in major doubt. 

E♕ven if Espargaro manages to ride during today’s race, a significant injury to his right foot is unlikely to allow him the chance of fighting with the likes of Quartararo, his team-mate or Fra🌸ncesco Bagnaia. 

That’s why Vinales cou🌜ld play a key role after qualifying second behind Johann Zarco, his first front row since moving to 🐓Aprilia from Yamaha.

Asked wha💎t he can do to potentially help Espargaro should the man second in the championship require it, Vinales was clear: “The best way to help is to stay in front.𒈔 I think this is the best way to help Aprilia. 

“We didn’t talk about anything and at the end it’s a question of being in a position where I can helpಌ Aleix. 

“On my mind right now is the way I want to go about the race which is to be in the first [few] places and push. In MotoGP now, the first ten laps decide the 🐻race.𓃲 

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“I want to be there, I want to be battling and of course if I have the opportunity to help I will do [it]. But I'm very focused on my job in these last few races and we are ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚgetting faster every time.”

Although Quartararo failed to secure a front row start ♏and is only two places ahead of Espargaro afterღ the Aprilia rider produced a heroic effort in qualifying to claim sixth, the momentum has certainly swung back into the French rider’s favour. 

Prior to Espargaro’s violent crash in FP4, Quartar♓aro looked to be the main challenger to the 33 year-old,🐼 making him the potential clear-cut favourite despite also needing to serve a Long Lap penalty.