Aprilia emerged as the team on which most of the spotlights were concentrated in the first collective test of this 2022, in Sepang, due to the competitiveness exhibited by both Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró.
Although it is true that the previous shakedown in which both were able to participate – as allowed by the concessions enjoyed by the manufacturer from Noale – it surely played a relevant role in the good performance shown on Saturday – Aprilia’s double at the top of the classification – and on Sunday –Aleix finished second, just 26 thousandths behind Bastianini, who set the new absolute record for the track–, the feeling transmitted by the Italian manufacturer has nothing to do with the one he left behind years ago.
In the first place, because the version of the RS-GP that will compete in 2022 arrived on time to roll in that first contact of the year, and because it barely transcended any serious reliability problems. And more relevant, because, apart from the evidence that the time screens reflected, the other teams pointed to the Aprilia as the prototype that grew the most this winter.
Viñales and Espargaró undoubtedly contributed to this forceful staging, two riders who already shared a garage at Suzuki (2015 and 2016), and who Aprilia reunited after the traumatic departure from Yamaha of the boy from Roses (Girona), at the end of of the last course.
Between the experience and solidity of #41 and the talent of #12, Rivola is convinced that he has the sharpest duo of those that coexist in MotoGP.
“I think driver-wise we probably have the strongest couple in the paddock. And I mean it sincerely. This puts pressure on the technicians”, the engineer acknowledged to Motorsport.com in a conversation held this weekend in Sepang.
From his position as head of Aprilia’s racing department, Rivola has no intention of looking for alternatives to his two current riders, whose contracts expire at the end of this year.
“In Aleix’s case, as long as he remains the hammer he is proving to be, we want him to stay with us. If he wants to renew, we are delighted that he continues”, the coach points out about the boy from Granollers (Barcelona), who will turn 33 next July.
“I think he is one of the fittest riders on the grid, and he wants to win with Aprilia at all costs. These are already two very important elements. In addition, we already know each other a lot and we know how to read their reactions when, sometimes, they turn on because something goes wrong”, continues Rivola, who, regarding Viñales, affirms “that he is at the perfect age (27 years) to stay with us for many years ”.
