Three years ago, Raul Fernandez was supposed to be the new Marc Marquez: eight Moto2 wins in his rookie season, a spectacular style, and a future that the entire paddock imagined was golden. KTM fought to sign him, Aprilia snapped him up for its TrackHouse satellite project... but since then, the Spaniard seems to have lost himself in unfulfilled promises.
Last weekend at Mandalika could have been his real turning point.Aprilia RS-GP was the ultimate weapon, the bike to beat. The sprint? A solid podium, third place, a ray of sunshine. But on Sunday, when the dream scenario was written, Fernandez missed his chance again: a hesitant start, poorly prepared overtaking, clumsy contact with Luca marini and finally a dull sixth place, far from what the machine allowed.
Massimo rivola did not mince his words. The boss's commentaprilia-racing increases the pressure on the Spaniard to finally turn his potential into concrete results, especially when his bike is clearly capable of fighting for the podium.
« If he had held up front with Fermin Aldeguer, he could have fought with himHe failed to initiate a proper maneuver. When he tried, he didn't do it properly. »
Raul Fernandez: Missed podium in Indonesia, Rivola frustrated and Aprilia's future in doubt?
A sentence that sounds like a public warning. Because Aprilia no longer has time to wait. Aldeguer, the 19-year-old rookie, is already showing more bite and consistency than the Spaniard who is supposed to be a leader. And Rivola made it clear that the RS-GP's potential demands better than sixth place.
Even Luca marini, yet in bad shape with his Honda, allowed himself to tackle Fernandez on his style.
The message is clear : Raul fernandez no longer has the right to indulgence. Aprilia offers him a winning package. The time for excuses is over. It's up to him to prove he's not just a forgotten Moto2 talent before Rivola decides to bet on another name — and in this paddock, there is no shortage of hungry youngsters. The ball is in his court: either he confirms the potential seen in Mandalika, or he risks joining the long list of unfinished talents in the MotoGP.
