Andrea Iannone will therefore not have convinced Suzuki of its qualities after a season and six Grands Prix spent on the GRX-RR. The 2017 campaign was indeed complicated while the media exposure of Joe the Maniac could, in such a context, have been annoying. Subjected to the rolling fire of criticism from a Kevin schwantz who never spared him, the former Ducati official loses his Suzuki factory status. But for all that, there remains a driver from a manufacturer: Aprilia.
Andrea Iannone therefore finds an Italian motorcycle, but it is undoubtedly also the least popular machine on the board. The Aprilia RS-GP has been on the scene for four seasons already, and it has still not impressed, even being beaten by the new RC16 from KTM.
However, the Noale factory will be able to count on a solid duo full of character. On one side one Aleix Espargaró who would have liked to keep Scott Redding today in the box but who will have to put up withAndrea Iannone. A solid foundation, if the agreement is concluded…
By the way, and since Joan mir is going to settle at Suzuki, here are all the factory motorcycles taken. All that remains is the ghostly Yamaha Petronas to compete with, on the market, a Pedrosa as the most decorated pilot but who could soon announce his retirement…
THE APRILIA MOTOGP PROJECT THEREFORE ENTERS ITS SECOND PHASE OF EVOLUTION, BRINGING THE NOALE TEAM TO A HIGHER LEVEL, ALWAYS CLOSER TO THE BEST.
Andrea Iannone will ride the Aprilia RS-GP during the 2019 and 2020 MotoGP seasons. The Italian from Vasto, born in 1989, will be flanked by Aleix Espargaró.
Aprilia fans around the world are allowed to dream, Andrea Iannone will bring to Aprilia Racing experience, speed and the desire to win at the highest level, and together they will face a fascinating challenge with the intention of making it earn. The return of an Italian rider to Aprilia is also a source of great pride for the Piaggio Group and it honors the long tradition of great champions and the unforgettable successes of the Noale company, which has developed almost all the best Italian talents in the recent history of “Motomondiale”.
Aprilia Racing thus adds an important element of growth to its ambitious project – the youngest in MotoGP – led by a very young but experienced and talented racing department, of an advanced technological level, from a large, entirely Italian industrial group. The Iannone-Espargaró duo represents one of the fastest combinations in MotoGP and is capable of ensuring great competitiveness and a technical level of absolute excellence, in order to further reduce the gap to the top of the ranking. They are experienced riders, fast and strongly involved in a fascinating project, not only sporting but also technical, which will contribute to the development of the entire Aprilia range, on the track and on the road.
In MotoGP since 2013, after having won in 125 and Moto2 a total of 12 victories and 12 podiums, Andrea Iannone is pleased in the higher category with a victory, 8 podiums and 2 pole positions.
Roman Albesian: “With Iannone comes a talented and fast driver who proves his worth this season too. Its arrival is a sign of the growing commitment of the Piaggio Group and Aprilia to the MotoGP program, in which our motorcycle has already demonstrated that it can count on a solid technical base. Now we have to stay focused on the 2018 season, starting with the upcoming Barcelona GP. We have a strong team, which has never stopped working hard. We want to continue to progress and bring the RS-GP to where it deserves in this still long season, with Aleix and Scott whom I want to thank publicly for their great professionalism and their commitment always at the highest level.
Fausto Gresini: » The alliance between Iannone and Aprilia will be beautiful, one of the most interesting in MotoGP, and could bring excellent results. Andrea is a strong, fast and solid driver. I think he can give a lot of support to the team and contribute to the development of the bike. And then, we cannot deny it, an Italian pilot on a tricolor motorcycle is always a great pleasure. Welcome Andrea, and have fun!”
