GP OF CATALUNYA WITH ESPARGARÓ, IANNONE AND SMITH
IN BARCELONA THERE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE THREE RS-GP MACHINES IN THE RACE TO CONTINUE GROWING
The 2019 MotoGP calendar takes the action to Barcelona for the GP of Catalunya. A modern circuit, Catalunya was completely resurfaced and reconfigured in 2018, characterised by changes in slope, fast turns and a long straight longer than one thousand metres.
In addition to the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini factory riders, Aleix Espargaró (who is on his home pitch) and Andrea Iannone, Aprilia will be able to count on the contribution of test rider, Bradley Smith. Once again, after Qatar and Jerez, there will be three RS-GP machines in the race. This is an extra effort to push along the growth process of the RS-GP which, in this first third of the season, has consistently demonstrated its ability to battle for the top ten and which has racked up twice as many points as last year with Aleix.
From a technical point of view, the Spanish GP is always rather critical in terms of grip management, an important factor, particularly in the race. For precisely this reason, the entire team will be focused on preparing for Sunday in terms of pace and consistency.
ALEIX ESPARGARO’
“After Aprilia’s home GP, now this is my home GP. Our primary target is, as always, the top-10. This is a result that is within our potential, as we have demonstrated in the races. On Sunday, I always feel fast and I am able to maintain a good pace, whereas in qualifying we have a few difficulties. Precisely for this reason, we need to work on consistency, getting to the race strong and with a good pace, so we can play our cards.”
ANDREA IANNONE
“Our weekends are always rather demanding because we do a lot of work, trying to test different solutions. This results in us having ups and downs, but that’s part of the game. Now the goal is to improve day after day. I have the support of the team and Aprilia Racing and I know that everyone is giving one hundred percent to achieve the level that we know is within our potential.”
BRADLEY SMITH
“As far as I am concerned, it will be important to begin working straight away on grip. Barcelona is perhaps the worst circuit from that point of view, and it is a great test bench for improving the performance of the RS-GP. It will be a long weekend, including the post-race tests, and I am happy to be back in the saddle with such a demanding schedule.”
