Aprilia is starting to scare and it is not surprising that the technical delegate went to fleas wanting to check the wings and fairing before the RS-GP 22 is homologated. Aleix Espargaro closed the test session in Sepang just 26 thousandths from whoever broke the Malaysian track record.
It is true that, thanks to the concessions, Aprilia had used the three days reserved for test riders and rookies to fine-tune the bike with the owners, but the leap of the 2022 bike is clear and evident: from a purely aerodynamic point of view it seems the MotoGP more balanced and showing excellent cornering that helps mask the lack of some horsepower. And with a certain nonchalance Aleix also admitted that in Noale they are working on the front lowering …
“The bike is different from last year’s. And even though it wasn’t ready for a race simulation yet, I asked to do a long run to find out its reactions – explained Aleix -. I did 12 laps and I noticed the differences with 2021. On the flying lap there is an improvement in the corners and in the power of the engine. Tire management and consumption are different, it will be interesting to do a few more kilometers in the next tests “.
The road taken by Romano Albesiano, technical director of Noale, seems the right one:
“The bike has improved a lot, our rivals say so too, but we’ll see in the race. At the moment it is difficult to make comparisons with others because after the development freeze period for COVID, everyone has brought something new to try. We can do the analysis compared to the last time we came and I’m much faster: half a second in the race pace and a second in the flying lap! ”.
Aprilia RS-GP 22: very boosted aero
As we have already said, the Aprilia RS-GP 22 seems to have been miniaturized: the bike has decidedly more compact dimensions and yet the rider does not feel the air, a sign that the aerodynamic level has worked well in the 100th tunnel …
“The best thing is cornering: you can make tighter lines. Aprilia has done a great job because it is not easy to grow in this area considering how many components are involved ”.
“The bike is not a revolution, but it represents an evolution of the RS-GP 21, but it is more agile and smaller. I still have some vibrations like in 2019 on this track and we have to find a way to turn them off because they affect the performance. Another important area of growth is the engine: we have made improvements but it is still not enough ”.
Aprilia RS-GP 22: about fifteen hp are missing
According to initial evaluations, there is talk of a gap of 10-15 hp from the new Ducati engine, but there is the hope of getting closer to Honda and KTM very soon …
“The chassis is different and the weight distribution has been changed. Right from the start I noticed the improvements in the corners, while in the fast corners vibrations emerge that limit our potential. Maverick and I both closed the throttle before entering the corner due to the vibrations and not for fear of going long. We have tried many things to overcome the problem that occurs in a particular way in Sepang but we have not found a solution ”.
All the attention in the paddock seems to be focused on the Ducati front lowering unit, but Aprilia has also tried its system …
“Aprilia works very well on these systems, we weren’t the first to develop them but we are certainly among the best. I’ve already tried three different systems and Maverick has another one ”.
As if to say: the lowering devices are an important source of cost (so they would gladly do without them), but if there is a war on rearmament in Noale they will be ready for the game …
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