SECOND SPANISH 2017 MOTOGP ROUND
APRILIA IN BARCELONA SEEKING AN IMPORTANT RESULT
The MotoGP World Championship returns to Spain for the second round of the season on Iberian soil. After Jerez, now it’s Barcelona’s turn on the Catalunya Circuit, a particularly demanding track for bikes and riders.
For the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, the Catalunya GP represents another important exam. The RS-GP has demonstrated an encouraging performance level up to this point, especially in terms of race pace. Only a series of circumstances kept Aleix Espargaró from earning points at Le Mans and Mugello, but in both races the Italian V4 showed an excellent level of performance. This is a situation that the Spanish rider is keen to rectify, also drawing from the strong motivation provided by racing on his home track.
Sam Lowes who, at Mugello, confirmed the improvements he had already shown in the French race with an impressive race pace, is sure to be able to take advantage of the experience gained during the tests done right here on the Spanish circuit a few weeks ago. Increasingly at ease astride his RS-GP, the English rookie intends to continue his consistent growth trend.
ALEIX ESPARGARO‘
“After Mugello I am motivated. I can’t wait to get on the RS-GP for my home race. The jump start made me end my weekend without the result we deserved and that is a pity. I like the Barcelona circuit a lot and the test we did here went rather well. We will pick up with the data we have from that to aim for a good placing in the top-8.”
SAM LOWES
“We did a good test here in Barcelona not long ago and I can’t wait to go back. In terms of my confidence in the saddle, Mugello was a decidedly positive weekend. I am happy to get back to racing straight away. I want to take advantage of this good moment.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO – APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“Barcelona is a track that generally does not have a lot of grip and that, combined with dips, is the most important difficulty we will have to deal with this weekend. In any case, we expect to do a good race. The tests done here allowed us to take some tangible steps forward in terms of chassis architecture and engine brake management. We already had good feedback from these modifications at Mugello.”
FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER
“Barcelona, where we did a test after Le Mans, is a very important race for us. We are keen for redemption on a track where our bike can express its full potential. It is certainly important to Aleix to do well for his home weekend after the disappointment in Mugello, where in any case he demonstrated that he is fast. I expect to see a step forward from Sam. He has shown encouraging signs but he still needs to improve.”
