Aprilia's MotoGP man, Massimo Rivola, is thinking a lot in this off-season which is coming to an end. Indeed, from March 11 to 12, the paddock will take up residence on a Portimao track which will give it the opportunity to test for two more days. Then he will remain on site while awaiting the opening of hostilities on Friday March 24 for the inaugural Portuguese Grand Prix. But between the new ECU, the details of which we have revealed to you, and the start of discussions on a new regulation which will have to be developed to come into force in 2027, the Italian is busy, and all the more so as he continues the preparation of his RS-GP which will now be four. Despite this busy schedule, he finds time to confide. And it’s interesting…
His last confidence, he made not only about the upcoming regulations but also about a secret hope of seeing MotoGP performance drop before this deadline. A problem more complex than it seems. Dorna has already warned that reducing the firepower of the prototypes populating what wants to be the elite of motorcycle speed is a sensitive subject, since this would put them at risk of shooting Superbikes from the series... Unless it also impacts the regulations of the WSBK, which is not yet on the agenda. For what ? Because, for the moment, the revised and corrected sports cars found in dealerships do not concern the safety of the circuits...
Massimo rivola thus explains the subject, starting with the themes that will be addressed with a view to 2017. And listening to him, it is a real disarmament operation… “ For the moment, there is the idea to ban all devices recently brought, including starting device. We also agree that it is a question of limits in aero development ».
Massimo Rivola: “if the development of MotoGP continues at the current pace, the circuits will not be big enough for our motorcycles"
That’s already quite a bit and it all sets a goal to achieve: “ the most important point will be to give back latitude to pilots and reduce the interventions of electronic systems ". And then there’s also this: “ I think fuel consumption will decrease because we expect engine power to decrease. That's why I don't expect a reduction in displacement. Maybe the bore won't stay at a maximum of 81 millimeters. Maybe it will get smaller. But overall, we agree to reduce the performance of motorcycles ". Which will make them accessible to Superbikes against the clock...
The deadline for all this is 2026. However, Massimo Rivola is campaigning for certain things to be speeded up. On speedweek, And he gives a good reason for that: “ if the development of MotoGP continues at the current pace over the next four years until the end of 2026, the circuits will not be big enough for our motorcycles » alarms the manAprilia Racing.
Furthermore, with now 42 races and 21 Grands Prix, don't the current MotoGPs risk wearing out the riders to the breaking point? An idea that is also gaining ground. The fact remains that to change what is in progress until 2026, the unanimity of the 5 competing manufacturers is required. Not sure that Ducati want to prematurely throw in the trash before time everything that he has innovated and developed with such audacity and success.
