Aprilia emerged as the team that put itself most under the spotlight in the first collective test of the 2022 MotoGP in Sepang, showing great competitiveness both with Aleix Espargaro and with Maverick Viñales.
If it is true that having participated in the shakedown – which is allowed by the concessions, now enjoyed only by the Noale brand – has certainly played a significant role in the good performances shown on Saturday with a brace, and then confirmed on Sunday with Aleix who has closed just 26 thousandths from the new track record set by Enea Bastianini, the Italian manufacturer transmitted sensations that have nothing to do with those of the not too distant past.
Firstly, because the version of the RS-GP that will race in 2022 arrived in time for the first test of the year, and because hardly any major reliability issues were detected. And above all because, apart from the evidence reflected by the times, the other teams have indicated Aprilia as the bike that has grown the most over the winter.
Vinales and Espargaro, two riders who had already shared the garage at Suzuki in 2015 and 2016, and whom Aprilia reunited after the traumatic exit from the Yamaha of the rider from Roses in the middle of last season, have undoubtedly contributed to these performances.
Between the experience and solidity of # 41 and the talent of # 12, Rivola is convinced that he has the strongest couple among those on the MotoGP grid. “I think at the driver level, we have probably the strongest couple in the paddock. And I mean it honestly. This puts pressure on us technicians,” the Italian engineer admitted to Motorsport.com, in a conversation that took place in Sepang over the weekend. .
In his position as boss, Rivola has no plans to look for alternatives to his two current drivers, whose contracts expire at the end of this season.
“In Aleix’s case, as long as he continues to be the hammer he is proving to be, we want him to stay with us. If he wants to renew his contract, we are happy that he will continue,” Rivola said of the Granollers driver, who will blow out 33 candles on next July.
“I think he is one of the fittest riders on the grid, and he wants to win with Aprilia at all costs. These are already two very important elements. Besides, we already know each other very well and we know how to read his reactions when he gets on fire from time to time. something goes wrong “, he continued about Vinales, adding:” He is the perfect age (27) to stay with us for many years “.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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