Aprilia's new recruit coming directly from Yamaha, Maverick Viñales, warns that he will have to reckon with the RS-GP this weekend in Portimao. It must be said that his performance at Misano-2 went unnoticed due to the numerous celebrations at the finish of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But starting 19th, he crossed the finish line eighth, a great comeback which gave him his first top 10 with Noale's mark. Meanwhile, his teammate Aleix Espargaró does not despair of passing Brad Binder's KTM to the championship before the end of hostilities...
It will be necessary to look closely at the Aprilia during this weekend in the Algarve. At least, that's what Maverick Vinales tells us in this Lusitanian vigil of arms: “ I arrive in Portimao with very positive feelings » he said. And he gives the reason for his optimism: “ the step taken in the race in Misano is not only in the final classification. In fact we worked a lot on RS-GP and finally found a decisive improvement, which we can also enjoy here. Our goal is just to continue to understand this new bike and fit it with my riding style. To better prepare for 2022 and, why not, try to get some satisfaction from it before the end of the season ».
Viñales and Aleix Espargaró would like to make a big impact with Aprilia before the end of the season
For its part, Aleix Espargaró adds: " we return to Portimao in very different conditions compared to the first race, both for the weather and because in the meantime we know the new RS-GP better. It's a track that I like, where we had a good first race. I can't wait to come back to check on our improvements. We still have two races to finish this championship well » finishes the one who was in sixth place in the Portuguese Grand Prix last April.
The 32-year-old driver will reach 196 courses MotoGP this weekend in Portimao, and he will equal a record that would be little envied if he does not win: that of the rider with the most races in MotoGP without ever having won one. In this statistic, he is therefore preparing to share eighth place with Colin Edwards. The fact remains that with its number of Grand Prix contested, Aleix Espargaró is in the top 10 of the most present drivers of all time.
