Aprilia's MotoGP man, Massimo Rivola, declared when Maverick Viñales was hired that he knew he would have to deal with an emotional bomb. And in fact, the first alert took place at the start of this second Grand Prix in Misano which marked the Spaniard's return to the RS-GP after a period of mourning following the tragic disappearance of his young cousin. A drama which kept him away from the meeting in Austin, with the understanding of his employer. But his return to Misano is anything but exciting. So Massimo Rivola steps up to the plate to create a bubble around his driver with his heightened sensitivity.
The Friday timesheet at Misano was edifying: while the two ApriliasAleix Espargaro as well as Lorenzo Savadori pointed to the first part of the hierarchy, that of Maverick Vinales was only 21st. With this comment from the Spaniard which gave the worrying feeling of being lost on the otherwise wet track.
So that the pressure does not fall on his shoulders upon returning from a period which weakened him, his boss on the ground Massimo rivola took charge of the comments: “ he didn't have much luck » he underlines. " Finding yourself in these conditions after not having driven for a while… it's difficult to regain confidence straight away ". Even the changes made to the bike during this day were not the right ones to give him confidence.
« He doesn't dramatize anything, someone of Viñales' pedigree comes with the aim of winning. He knows very well that he is in a growth process here, we must use these races as tests to understand how to set up the bike that suits him. will give as much confidence as possible »Adds Rivola which states: “ we must not forget that riders who change bikes at the start of the year have difficulties. It's like the start of the season for them, made worse by the fact that they have new sensations on a different bike. This is not the case for Dovizioso… For Viñales, going from an inline four to a V4 is a significant change. We must also understand how to give him confidence, to find a stable front axle ».
Massimo Rivola: “ we need to make a bike that Maverick can ride 100% with«
Massimo rivola take this opportunity to recall the issues that will become clearer from 2022 and even more so in 2023, a moment when, perhaps, Aleix Espargaró will retire, leaving the keys of the RS-GP project to Maverick Vinales... " We know what Aleix needs, at the same time we need to make a bike that Maverick can ride 100% with. He's a young 26-year-old, he has an important future, with us, I hope. But we have to put him in a position to give his best ».
Aprilia will always be able to count on the points of concessions and this could be an additional motivation to accelerate the evolution. “ Concessions are definitely an advantage. Lorenzo Savadori makes a wild card at Misano this weekend and it's important, iThere is already something new on this bike. We will see a hybrid motorcycle at the end of the year, but the RS-GP22 will not be on the track before 2022 " finished Rivola on Motoracing.
