After testing his new Aprilia MotoGP bike at Misano, Maverick Viñales is already comfortable and fast. His reported best lap time from his first day on the bike was already very competitive at the MotoGP level.
The next MotoGP race is at Aragón on September 12. Viñales will be aboard the Aprilia for the first practice session on September 10.
With Aprilia obtaining its first MotoGP podium last Sunday at Silverstone (Aleix Espargaró aboard), it will be fascinating to watch what a nine-time MotoGP race winner can achieve on the Noale machine. Here is the press release from Aprilia:
- MAVERICK VIÑALES ON THE TRACK WITH APRILIA FROM THE ARAGÓN GP
- LORENZO SAVADORI WILD CARD IN THIS SEASON AND 2022 TEST RIDER
All the pieces have now fallen in place for the Aprilia Racing rider line-up after Maverick Viñales’ début astride the RS-GP during the two days of testing on the Misano Adriatico circuit.
The Spanish rider, extremely impressed by the first contact with the Italian team, will be on the track officially from the Aragón GP, scheduled to be held on the weekend of 12 September. He will take a spot on the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini alongside Aleix Espargaró, who just brought the Noale-based manufacturer their first podium in MotoGP at Silverstone.
Lorenzo Savadori will therefore be confirmed as test rider for the 2022 season, completing an extremely high level trio with the goal of continuing to improve the young RS-GP project. For the rest of the 2021 season, his presence on the track will not be lacking, taking advantage of the wild cards Aprilia has available. Lorenzo’s work schedule will be formalised as soon as he has recovered fully from the injury suffered during the Styria GP, a fractured right malleolus that required surgery.
MASSIMO RIVOLA – APRILIA RACING CEO
“We are extremely proud to be able to announce our plans for the current season and for 2022 with the goal of optimising the contributions of our three riders to the utmost. Alongside our confirmed rider, Aleix, it is our pleasure to welcome a talented athlete like Maverick to the Aprilia Racing team, who demonstrated a great feeling with the team and the bike straight away and who I am confident will be able to give his best as early as the Aragón GP. At the same time, we are also confirming Lorenzo’s role as 2022 test rider. This is a fundamental position that rewards the great efforts he has demonstrated in developing the new RS-GP, whereas he will finish out the 2021 season taking advantage of the wild cards that we’ll decide on together as soon as he is back to 100% fitness.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO – APRILIA RACING TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
“The decision to have Maverick on the track from Aragón is a direct result of the tests done in Misano. It was not a given that, after a career spent up to now on a bike with an in-line engine, Maverick would have a good feeling with our V4 straight away. This is why the test on this track, historically not an easy one for our bike, was an important moment of assessment. Therefore, we are satisfied with Maverick’s immediately positive reactions, which demonstrated a good feeling both with the RS-GP and with the team and our work method. His and Aleix’s talent, combined with the experience Lorenzo has gained this season, make us optimistic about the future of our MotoGP project.”
Meh…who cares about Maverick.
MotoGP should have fined and suspended Maverick for what he did to his Yamaha.
This type of temper tantrum he threw that resulted in his “firing” and then getting immediately hired by Aprilia and now getting to race immediately in the same season, is NOT good for MotoGP.
It’s a message to other riders that you can throw a temper tantrum, attempt to destroy your bike and get fired and another factory will hire you and you can still race that same season.
Not good for MotoGP. Period.
Good luck, Aprilia. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.
He only has to beat Aleix to be one of the top 2 riders in the world. Hope it was worth the pay cut.
You mean to be one of the top two Apilia riders in world, right?
Aleix said something about being one of the top 3 riders in MotoGP …
🤣
Do we know for sure he’s taken a pay-cut?
in his first ride on the thing, he’s matched his race-winning fast lap from last year and gone .8s faster than this motorcycle has ever gone at the track where he tested.
The guy is 26 and already has more money than he’ll ever need. I think if he wins races on this thing, he’ll be satisfied, no matter the paycheck.
I’m glad for him. His temper tantrum was a learning experience for him. Most of us have had similar experiences in life. Hopefully he’s grown from it.
It would be great if Aprilia takes a 1, 2 or 2, 3 in a race soon.