It's not a secret. Sam Lowes is more than in the hot seat at an Aprilia factory which is negotiating with other riders to replace him. While he is only starting out in MotoGP, and on an RS-GP, the one who looked like hope for Noale went to the casting error in barely half a season. His fate seemed sealed, except that Aprilia missed his two privileged targets who were to take their place alongside Aleix Espargaró. In fact, it is now urgent to wait for sports director Romano Albesiano.
Aprilia believed a lot in Danilo Petrucci and he would even have a very interesting offer to take him out of the Ducati fold. But Petrux ultimately did not want to change creameries. More surprisingly, the Noale brand went looking for a Alvaro Bautista who was on his team last year. But there too, the end of inadmissibility prevailed. A “no” more annoying than the first because the Spaniard still favored the status of satellite pilot promised to a Desmosedici who spent a year in an official costume.
Aprilia's credibility has therefore been damaged here. These two missed priorities, however, make one happy: Sam Lowes. Of course, he can still worry about what will be decided Jack Miller on its future. If the Australian arrives at Pramac Ducati, Scott Redding will knock on Aprilia's door. Who will take it. Or not. Because Redding was not on the listAlbesian.
Otherwise ? Sam Lowes will have saved his head. Until the end of 2018, when quite a few contracts, and not the least important ones, will expire. Big game that will have to be attracted.
