Aprilia will compete in its first MotoGP season without benefiting from Concessions. Team leader Paolo Bonora explains how teamwork is changing.
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Aleix Espargaró proved himself to be a top rider in the last MotoGP season. He had to wait a few years before having a competitive Aprilia RS-GP: consider that in 2019 he was on the verge of retirement. After his 2022 victory and string of podium finishes, the question on many people's minds is whether he will be able to repeat that. The House of Noale will field four motorcycles for the first time in the Top Class, but the veteran from Granollers is the one who knows this bike best, the Captain. “ During all these years he always believed in Aprilia and gave everything ", said Romano Albesiano, who are " I don't know when he will retire and I don't even want to talk about his departure because for me he is immortal. »
The latest developments in RS-GP
Between 2021 and 2022, the Aprilia RS-GP is the motorcycle that has undergone the most accelerated evolution. This is thanks to the work carried out by
Massimo rivola et Romano Albesiano in the stands, and to certain dynamics triggered by the transition from an independent team to an official team, with the support of the Piaggio group. A metamorphosis which “ gave all team members a new feeling and momentum. We realized that we had the potential to be best” explains the team manager Paul Bonora at MotoGP.com. So much so that they will lose their Concessions during the next championship and will have to fight on equal terms against the other big names. The first signs of a breakthrough appeared already two years ago, “ we have significantly improved the handling and acceleration of the motorcycle. All of our riders were able to feel these improvements immediately. »
At the start of 2020, the RS-GP was equipped with a new 4° V90 engine, which increased its power potential and improved its efficiency. The 4° V72 is now a buried concept, and with the move to the 90° engine engineers were given more freedom in the prototype design. “ Thanks to the wider cylinder angle we can position the driver lower. The air box can also be positioned more low”, which improves aerodynamics and top speed. At Termas de Rio Hondo, Aleix Espargaró has written a historic page for the Venetian brand, thanks to better balance, a bike that is less nervous when exiting corners, and a bike that goes on perfectly even in low grip conditions.
First season of MotoGP without Concessions
Progress has not only been in the engine, but also in the electronics, which has improved acceleration. And aerodynamics, an area which requires a lot of investment and which is capable of making the difference at this tight level of MotoGP. “
With this package we have a lot more load front and rear. This allows us to plant the tires more firmly on the ground and eliminate wheelies, which improves acceleration. » After the long series of podiums collected in 2022, Aprilia will have to do without Concessions and reassess its mode of operation, particularly in terms of the engine. “ We need to better understand how to use motors during the
season,” continued Paolo Bonora. " So we are more focused on reliability than performance. »
Aprilia will no longer have unlimited trials, but that shouldn't be a serious problem. The test pilot Lorenzo Savadori will have a more important role and with more responsibilities. “ We will need to make sure that everything we test with the test team will be ready for the factory team. Now we have to work like other builders. »
In 2023 there will be four RS-GPs on track and this will certainly help with data collection during the weekends, especially in terms of tire choice. With Miguel Oliveira et Raul Fernandez, internal competition is doubled for Aleix Espargaro, who is already confronted with the young Maverick Vinales. All eyes will be on the Portuguese driver, who has accepted this new challenge with the intention of joining the factory team in the 2025 season.
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Luigi Ciamburro
