Massimo Rivola is a racing director for an Aprilia factory engaged in MotoGP, and 2021 will be his third season in this role. Given the level curve of the RS-GP since it joined the starting grid, it was, until now, the last bike that we thought of to play something in the posh peloton of the major Grand Prix category. We have never seen him higher than sixth place. Then the new opus appeared and during the five days spent in Qatar, he stubbornly hung in the top 5. If these good feelings were confirmed once the competition started, it would be a big sensation. Rivola believes in it, and he even puts pressure on himself.
If theAprilia were finally revealed this season it would be quite a snub to the contingent of young riders who refused to ride and thus decline the position of factory rider. Perhaps regrets are even starting to sprout since Andrea Dovizioso, for his part, was overcome by remorse in resuming contact with the men of Noale and thus freeing himself from the opportunity to form an idea for himself, from April 12 to 14, to a test in Jerez ...
We don't know where all this will lead, and the first Grand Prix of the season at Qatar will certainly give a strong indication of what happens next. But this 2021 RS-GP has had its effect. To the great pleasure of Massimo rivola, responsible on the ground for this adventure: “ for me it's the third year with Aprilia and my second bike. In 2019, the bike was already ready when I arrived. It's the most important year, now even more without Fausto Gresini ". It will be recalled that Noale's troops camped in the box of the Gresini Racing team, whose boss died of a Covid-19 infection.
The stakes are therefore high for Aprilia this year and, with this emotional dimension which prohibits disappointing in the name of memory, the pressure is not feigned. However, the manufacturer which is part of the powerful group Piaggio is recognized for presenting the most modest budget in the paddock. An aspect on which Rivola don’t linger: “ if the budget is open, it certainly makes a lot of things easier. But I'd rather have more time than anything else ". he said.
He adds : " if the bike is as good as I think we can show that we don't need as big a budget to be competitive ". A remark which takes on its full meaning when we know that the fifth budget among the six manufacturers is none other than that of Suzuki... Of which we will not remember the excellent 2020 campaign.
Massimo Rivola knows Aprilia can no longer disappoint
Now, what has transformed RS-GP to this extent? Rivola gives his instructions: “ it's a little bit of everything. We have made great progress in aerodynamics, we are at the highest level, perhaps among the best on the grid in this respect. I'm also confident about the chassis. We have also improved the electronics, but there is still room for improvement. We are working on it ».
And the engine? “ I think the engine is our weak point at the moment. The people in the engine department did an incredible job to completely change the concept in just a year and a half. " answers Rivola. We will recall that last year, the MotoGP manufacturer presented a brand new engine with a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. “ This year we have new cylinder heads. So a lot has happened », explains the manager of theAprilia. " But we will need a little more time to develop and test the engine “, he admits.
As if the load wasn't enough on his shoulders, Rivola finally specifies that 2021 is also a major political issue: “ the ambition is to become an official factory team and maybe even have a satellite team », explains the manager on Motorsport-total. " Four bikes and four riders make everything a little easier in terms of growth and performance ».
To attract teams, you need, as for the drivers, a convincing RS-GP. For the moment everything hangs by a thread and on the only Aleix Espargaró who are prohibited from getting injured or catching Covid-19. Between the glimmer of hope of a bright tomorrow and the precariousness of the moment, the nights of Massimo RivolIt must be short and choppy...
