The Italian manufacturer undoubtedly delivered in 2021 its most successful overall performance since its return to MotoGP six years ago, culminating in a first podium at Silverstone. But it will still take a lot of elbow grease to aim higher.
Good things come to those who wait for ! This is what we must say at Aprilia at the end of a season which will remain memorable for Noale's troops, with the Italian manufacturer finally obtaining its first podium since its return. in MotoGP in 2015.
Over the last six seasons, the transalpine entity has indeed experienced numerous setbacks, with a machine that is often too reluctant to achieve convincing results and enter the top 10 on a regular basis. But all these torments seemed to disappear this season, notably thanks to Aleix Espargaro, a true figurehead in the development of RS-GP, and a paragon of loyalty to the team even if his relationship with the latter may have had its ups and downs, fluctuating with the level of performance displayed.
First podium since the brand's return to MotoGP
“This season has been great for us”, admits Paolo Bonora, the race director of Aprilia, at the microphone of MotoGP official website. “We chased the podium for six years, and finally we managed to achieve that goal this season at Silverstone. During the first part of the season we raised our performance level and the riders' confidence in the bike gradually improved, culminating in our podium at Silverstone, which was an incredible result. for the whole team. This top 3 was also followed by a fourth place in Aragón. We hope that all these results will be confirmed again next season and that we will make further progress. We are therefore very happy with this, and we would like to thank Aleix Espargaró, Lorenzo Savadori as well as Maverick Viñales for their valuable assistance in the development of the bike. »
“We hope to be able to confirm all these results next season”
A first podium in England this season therefore, but also and above all an almost flawless consistency displayed by Espargaró throughout the year: the Spaniard thus finished in the top 10 of all the races for which he saw the flag at checkerboard (i.e. 13 out of 18). Enough to allow him to take eighth place in the drivers' championship, his best overall result since 2014, when he was with Forward Yamaha. “Aleix has been our reference for several years now”, explains Bonora. “And we are really very happy with his performances. He is in very good mental condition, and he feels really good within the team. »
But despite these good performances, we are careful not to boast too much at Aprilia, too aware that the lean period is ultimately not so far away and that we will have to redouble our efforts to avoid falling back into it. “We must of course still progress”, continues Bonora. “We certainly have positive aspects on the bike, but we have to continue to improve because it is very hard to compete in such a competitive environment as MotoGP. »
“It is very hard to compete
in an environment as competitive as MotoGP”
We must not lose sight of the fact that Aprilia once again finished last among the manufacturers, and is the only factory team with Suzuki not to have achieved the slightest success this season. But by the race director's own admission, a milestone must still be reached to hope to be able to join the fight at the front. “At the moment we are fighting to get into the top 10 in each race”, analyzes Bonora. “And when we are in good shape we can even aim for the top 5, but it is clear that we will have to take a new step if we want to envisage victory. »
Viñales, the X factor at Aprilia in 2022
To do this, Aprilia will be able to count on the services of Maverick Vinales, who joined the team from the Aragón Grand Prix, replacing Lorenzo Savadori injured in Austria in the malleolus. After four and a half seasons spent with Yamaha and a final victory in the championship opener in Qatar, the Spaniard has indeed arrived at Aprilia with extensive technical background, solid experience and an already well-stocked track record ( nine victories in MotoGP including eight with the brand with three tuning forks).
The last five Grands Prix of the season nevertheless served almost exclusively as a period of adaptation for the number 12, who still managed a first top 10 under his new colors with an eighth place during the Grand Prix. from Emilia-Romagna. “Regarding Maverick, the second part of the season was a test, both for him and for us”, confirms Bonora. “We are trying to provide him with a bike that can suit his riding style, and thus achieve the best performance, because as you can imagine it is not easy to change bikes. So we try to respond to his requests step by step. » We can bet that the winter break will allow the Iberian to finalize his good acclimatization with Aprilia, he who parted on bad terms with his former team. This is all the evil we wish them.
