Antonio Jimenez is today the happy technical manager of Aleix Espargaró's motorcycles.
But his career in the paddock is already 30 years long, with access to MotoGP in 2000 where he worked with Yamaha Factory to develop the 2002 machine before moving to Gresini Honda alongsideAlvaro Bautista.
Even if Aprilia remains a very prestigious brand in the world of Grands Prix, exploiting and trying to make the RS-GP shine against more fortunate factories is not an easy task but, sometimes, the planets align and happiness springs up. after the finish line, as was the case recently with the very good seventh place ofAleix Espargaró at the Aragon Grand Prix.
However, Antonio Jimenez remains as lucid as he is passionate and was kind enough to answer our questions with the greatest kindness, without however using the slightest language...
Thanks to him !
Antonio, after a good experience in MotoGP then a stint in Moto2, you returned to the premier category with Aleix Espargaró at Aprilia. Is that satisfying?
Antonio Jimenez : “yes, that was the goal. I spent a whole part of my career in MotoGP, from the prototype in 2000 with Yamaha Factory, then with Gresini for the last nine years until 2014, with Bautista on the Honda. Then they moved to Aprilia and I had to do Moto2 because I couldn't find anything in MotoGP in a competent team or one that motivated me. I then decided to try the experience in Moto2, and it was a good experience, especially with Tech3 and the Mistral because we were the only ones to have a completely different bike from everyone else, with a different chassis, suspensions different and different brakes. And we managed to achieve excellent results! But after four years in Moto2, I am very happy to return to MotoGP, certainly in a challenge which is not easy with the Aprilia, but which is very motivating. »
Aprilia is one of the latest arrivals and benefits from concessions, but must face another competitor in the same situation but which is putting in a lot of resources: KTM. What are Aprilia's weapons to fight against this Austrian ogre: the technique, the men, the pilots?
“It is certain that on a human level, they are much more numerous than us. On an economic level, there is no picture because they have a big sponsor, certainly the biggest in the paddock with Ducati. We don't have any and the difference is enormous and this is especially felt in the development and logistics of the parts which do not arrive at the speed and quantity that we would like. So it's clear that the difference is very big, but with our small budget and in a structure that is not as big as KTM, with only two bikes while they have a satellite team and also very good riders, we're not very far! And we fight with them, which is motivating. »
What real evolution has the RS-GP experienced this year and in what direction are you heading regarding development?
“Look, I'll be honest and say that the bike hasn't evolved. It's the same bike that we've had since the start of the season and it's certainly the one that we're going to have by the end of the season. It is certain that Aprilia is working on a new project for 2020, and that is certainly why they do not want to invest too much in the current project. Carrying out two projects at the same time would be too expensive and too difficult: we are a factory, but a small factory! So this year, it's a bit difficult and we try to maintain ourselves at a certain level by always trying to fight for the top 10 with Aleix, and sometimes Iannone who is also getting there now, since he had to adapts this new motorcycle for him. So we hope that the change will be greater in 2020 and take a step forward on a technical level. »
What are the weak points and strong points of the current RS-GP?
“I think the Aprilia's strong point is entering curves, while it has a little more difficulty exiting curves, certainly because our engine needs a little more power at low speed. Once the bike is up, it accelerates very well, especially from third gear, and it has a good top speed. So where we have a lot of difficulty is exiting slow corners, especially when you have to use first gear. »
Is it more the motor than the electronics?
“Today, the electronics and the motor work together. But I think that a slightly more flexible engine at the bottom would help to work better with the electronics, because when you have power, you can filter it, but when you don't have power at a certain rpm, the Electronics can't do anything about it. »
You recently introduced a holeshot system on the fork. Are you satisfied with it?
“We developed it and we are going to keep it. I already used this kind of system when we worked with Showa, and they brought it out again to try to have a little advantage. Yes, when the pilots manage to hook it up, it works quite well (laughs). »
