Aleix Espargaro began the Japanese Mo♔toGP battli💟ng with the factory machines at the front of the field - and ended it by being forced to bail off after 'brake issues' with his Aspar Aprilia.

The reigning double CRT class champion was into🌊 the top five on the opening lap, but soon began to experience the brake problems that would lead to his spectacular exit, at the end🧸 of the back straight, on lap 13 of 24.

"It was a shame about the race today, because I got away really well and was fourth or fifth off the line - the bike was going great," said E꧑spargaro, who had dropped back ﷽to twelfth at the time of his fall.

"From the beginning I✨ noticed I had some problems with the brakes, so𝓡 I was going very wide on the opening lap and everyone passed me. I had to ride much slower and brake early.

"In the 🐻end I crashed, but fortunately I escaped unhurt.

"It's a shame to end the flyaways like this,𝄹 as it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. At least my brother won the Moto2 title today, so from me 💙and also from all of the Aspar Team, congratulations to him.

"In൲ less than two weeks we have the race in Valencia, the home race for the team, and we'll see if we can win [the CRT clas𝓡s] there again."

Valencia will be Aleix's last race for Aspar, before moving to the Forward Racing Y✤amaha ๊team.