De Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Aprilia closes the first MotoGP test after the circuit closed. In Misano, Bradley Smith, intended to replace Andrea Iannone, and Max Biaggi were on track.
Aprilia concluded two days of MotoGP testing at the Misano circuit. Test driver Bradley Smith will likely take Andrea Iannone's place if the CAS (Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport) confirms the eighteen-month disqualification. Or, in the worst case scenario, if he decides to impose the maximum sentence (4 years) requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The British test driver found satisfactory sensations on the 2020 RS-GP. It's been nice to come back... I've done a lot of laps, I've been racing in all conditions, I've tried some interesting components and I'm looking forward to getting back on track at the end of the month. »
The Noale-based company has planned another testing session for June 23, jointly with KTM and Ducati. On this occasion, Aleix Espargaró could also be present, forced to stay in Andorra during this test due to the difficulties in crossing its national borders. There was also an exceptional test driver in Max Biaggi on the track. Also present these days were Lorenzo Savadori (in the dual role of CIV rider and MotoGP test rider), Christophe Ponsson, Matteo Baiocco, Claudio Corti and Eddi La Marra. On Thursday, on the track, there will also be Valentino Rossi and the boys from the Academy. By June 30, Aprilia will have to freeze its engine in the same way as other manufacturers, due to the new “save-cost” regulations dictated by the coronavirus. This may continue to be the subject of private testing, but the specifications of the V4 engine will remain unchanged until 2022.
For Max Biaggi, it was two unforgettable days during which he seemed to have become a child again. Since his quarantine in Monte-Carlo, the Corsair has returned to the track at Mugello and Misano, showing that he has not lost his champion stuff. On the first day of MotoGP private testing, Bradley Smith also had to deal with heavy rain. Just over seventy laps were completed, largely on wet tires, to study the settings of the RS-GP in the best possible way, also from a racing point of view. Here, the MotoGP championship will return in mid-September, in weather conditions that could be very similar.
Video: Instagram Story @maxbiaggiofficial
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