On Sunday morning, a few minutes before the start of the MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix, Massimo Rivola was interviewed by former rider Jorge Lorenzo in the Aprilia garage. The five-time world champion wanted to know the Italian team’s plans for the future after the announcement of Aleix Espargaro’s retirement at the end of the season.
“After Saturday’s race I asked him if he was sure, if he really wants to retire. But he told me that the decision has been made,” said Aprilia’s top manager, who for weeks has been trying to get an Italian rider to come to Noale to put on one of his bikes. “We have to wait for Ducati to make his decision,” he said.
“Then there could remain interesting Italian riders, like Enea Bastianini or Marco Bezzecchi,” he explained without however closing the door on names of the caliber of Jorge Martin or Marc Marquez. Of the latter, he doubts that he will be content to remain in a satellite team also in 2025. Rivola was also asked about Maverick Vinales, whose contract expires at the end of this season. “Confirmed,” explained the Aprilia boss.
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Nothing is confirmed, Vinales corrects
Maverick’s race didn’t go well at all: he finished in 12th position, more than 22 seconds behind the winner, with many grip problems on his Aprilia and difficulty staying upright. Suddenly he almost flew due to a strong crash. However, the Spaniard does not agree with Rivola’s words: “No no, I’m not confirmed. I don’t have a contract for next year,” he explained to Motorsport.com.
“Clearly, there is a lot of interest in continuing together because we are doing such a great job. But I look at Sunday, Le Mans or Jerez and we have to wait. We have to wait. There are open doors and we have to wait a bit and decide what is best for me in terms of performance,” explained the rider from Roses.
“I want to win, honestly. And I think I have the ability to fight to win, I have to see carefully what the best option is. Which is the most complete, the package that will give me the best chances, the most to exploit my best level”, concluded the Spaniard.
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