It is with few new features but a lot of will that the Aprilia troops have finished with their first tests of the off-season. In Valencia, there was a peak of tension due to the disappointment of not seeing anything particular in terms of progress on the RS-GP. A frustration expressed by Aleix Espargaró and exacerbated by an engine failure little appreciated by Andrea Iannone. In Jerez, there were no more innovations, but the mood was more studious. The winter break is now declared, but Iannone warns that he will keep an eye on things by regularly informing himself about the work on the next motorcycle to leave the Noale factory...
Si Andrea Iannone suffered a stroke of blood in Valencia while walking back to his box following a breakdown in his Aprilia engine, in Jerez he had to deal with heat stroke. Feverish, Joe the Maniac was unable to give his full potential on a track which was also the toy of the elements during the second and last day of practice. Like his teammate Aleix Espargaró and test pilot Bradley Smith, Andrea Iannone also had to settle for the Aprilia 2019 in Jerez, while the RS-GP for 2020 continues to be the subject of all the attention of the Noale factory.
A work which will be closely followed by the one who has 13 Grand Prix victories. Iannone indeed comments: “ It wasn't easy for me, because I was slowed down by the weather and the fever I had when I arrived in Jerez. We have worked in many areas, because we do not have a big weakness, but we want to win in all areas, especially with regard to the brakes and corner entry where we have to be even more efficient. »
« We've seen some interesting things we can work on this winter. I think Aprilia will do a good job for 2020. Work on the new Michelin tires also seems to be progressing well ", declared the Italian, a former Ducati and Suzuki official who finished sixteenth in the last championship.
That being said, the focus of all his attention now is the design of the new bike: “ I haven't seen any photos of the new bike yet, but I will be close to the Aprilia factory in Noale this winter and I will stay in touch with everyone. I would like to follow the evolution of the new motorcycle and it's important to me if I can take a step forward next year ", added Iannone, who remained a little faster than his teammate during testing in Jerez.
Tuesday results:
Results of the two days of testing in Jerez:
