In MotoGP, if there is an official handlebar that arouses no covetousness, it is that of the Aprilia RS-GP. Since the start of this project, the results have not come, a drought made even more arid since the arrival of KTM which shows a greater capacity to approach its subject. But in the house of Noale, new faces have arrived and their leader who is now Massimo Rivola promises that 2020 will be the start of a new era. Its drivers Aleix Espargaró and Andrea Iannone expect no less. They never spared their employer by bluntly recounting their despair at being subscribed to the last places. Saving mood swings according to Andrea Iannone, who explains that they are good signs…
Criticizing your bike when you are a factory rider is never good. There was the case Johann zarco at KTM, there is the situation of Jorge Lorenzo at Honda and, in both cases, it did not bode well for the whistleblower. At Aprilia, it's the two riders who are falling into trouble. But in this case, Aprilia does not move. It must also be said that the facts couldn't be more right Aleix Espargaro et Andrea Iannone.
The latter, who is also now the manager of Roman Fenati who will evolve in 2020 within the team of Max Biaggi in Moto3, a concentration of calm and composed personalities if ever there was one, affirms that getting angry is positive: “ sometimes we get too angry, but that's okay. If at 30 you're still angry, it means you have a fire inside. For next year we have to stay ahead in all races, the rivals are very strong but the important thing is that our bikes are in the top 10 ».
A beautiful ambition which, according to the admission of Rivola, will not be current from the outset in view of the many new features expected on a deeply revised and corrected RS-GP. But Joe the Maniac assures that the pilots will be mobilized: “ many thought we were going to kill ourselves with Aleix Espargaró, but we get along well, we have known each other for many years and we really want to take Aprilia where it deserves to be. »
He ends on Sky Sports: “ goals for 2020? You have to set limits, be realistic and being among the top ten will not be easy. We really need to make the qualitative leap for next year. » The new Aprilia should be operational next February for the Sepang tests. Andrea Iannone is 16th in the championship with 43 points. This is the worst season of his career in the premier category.
