MotoGP | Future Aprilia, Rivola: “Let’s see if we will finally have an Italian”

While waiting to understand what Ducati’s decision will be regarding Pecco Bagnaia’s teammate next season, another of the missing pieces of the MotoGP rider market has found its answer in Barcelona.

Aleix Espargaro, who was in doubt whether or not to continue as a full-time rider, chose his home race to announce that he will hang up his helmet at the end of the year. He confirms that there will therefore be another very attractive bike available on next year’s grid, given that Aprilia has now become a top team in all respects.

The “Captain” has repeatedly supported the name of Jorge Martin as his heir, with whom he is linked by a relationship of deep friendship, but it is clear that the world championship leader wants to understand the Borgo Panigale scenarios before taking other options into consideration . The same goes for another name associated with the House of Noale, that of Enea Bastianini.

The CEO of the Noale racing department, Massimo Rivola, spoke to MotoGP.com without naming names, but giving some clues that seem to go in the direction of the Rimini native.

“Now we can start talking to many rider managers and I think the market will be very interesting and will offer good opportunities. Let’s see if we will finally have an Italian on an Italian motorcycle or not,” said Rivola. “But I think there will be good opportunities. Obviously taking Aleix’s place won’t be easy for anyone, so whoever arrives will have to be very hungry,” he added.

To be honest, if something were to materialize with Bastianini, it would not be the first time that Aprilia would field an Italian since it returned to the MotoGP scene in 2015. In the year of its return, in fact, it brought Marco Melandri to the track , then in the 2019 season he raced with Andrea Iannone and in the following season with Lorenzo Savadori. However, “Beast” could be the first Italian since the RS-GP became a winning bike.

Espargaro will be a test rider, but not for Aprilia

Also speaking to MotoGP.com was Albert Valera, Espargaro’s manager, who reiterated what Aleix had implied in recent days, namely that his intention is not to stop completely but perhaps to become a test rider. The unexpected thing, however, is not so much this, but rather that it won’t be for Aprilia.

“It’s still early to say where we’ll go. As he said, he’d like to be a test driver. He’s looking forward to taking on new challenges, which probably means enjoying the experience of working with a new manufacturer, even if it will be as a test driver and not as a starter”, explained Valera.

“But this is the role he is looking for and he thought he could take on a new challenge, but at the same time slow down a little. He then understood that this could be being a test driver with a new manufacturer.”

“We are in the conversation phase, it is still early to understand where he will go or not. But his level is very high and I believe that for a manufacturer it would be an excellent opportunity to have a test driver like Aleix”, he concluded.