Team spirit in MotoGP is a fairly abstract concept and difficult to apply in a sport where, at the finish of a race, there can only be one winner, but, at Aprilia, we seem to have find the recipe to claim it. A singularity to which Aleix Espargaró – inducted precisely as the “captain” of this team identified on the side of Noale – returns to better explain its basis.
And this foundation is this RS-GP project with great ambitions in MotoGP but with limited means. To sum up, Aprilia is a commando section facing large rival armies, even if the Piaggio group has gradually loosened its purse strings since Massimo rivola arrived. A handicap on paper, but not necessarily on the track.
We will thus remember that Suzuki was titled with Joan mir with a project recognized as having the lowest budget on the board MotoGP. Aprilia is in the same line, with the same consequence: the emergence of a solid spirit of cohesion to overcome a situation which causes adversity to be greater.
At Aprilia, the added value is also a Aleix Espargaró who certainly has the faults of his qualities and vice versa, but whose flame of motivation and determination cannot be called into question.
Aleix Espargaró Aprilia: “ two strong pilots working together is much better than one »
A mentality which gave him the armband of “captain” in his box, but also the vocation of a recruiting sergeant, since he knew how to convince Maverick Vinales to join him when he was at his lowest after his eviction from home Yamaha : " I remember at that time, Maverick was in trouble three years ago, and he was super depressed » says the winner of the Grand Prix of Catalonia this season. “ I told him “You will come to Aprilia. » But obviously, he wasn't sure, because Aprilia finished at one minute. But I told him: “You are very strong. We're going to take this bike to the top. » ».
We know the rest… “ I am very proud of Aprilia. Very, very proud because we come from very far. Aprilia must be very proud of Maverick and me because we have done incredible and historic work together » comments the Spaniard who recalls: “ it's not easy to have a good relationship with your teammate when you're fighting for the top places and develop the bike to fight against its rivals. So I'm very happy. Congratulations to Aprilia ».
He ends by highlighting the double mark for Barcelona this year: “ it's like a gift for Aprilia, for ourselves, for conviction, for hard work. Teamwork pays off in the end because two strong drivers working together are much better than just one. We have proven it. It's a gift for Romano, Massimo and everyone in Noale ».