Aprilia convinces Andrea Dovizioso to hold a MotoGP test in Jerez. But the surprises don’t end there: Valentino Rossi’s VR46 could be tied to Noale.
A marriage is about to be born between Aprilia and Andrea Dovizioso. Or at least they are trying. Until a few months ago, the former Ducati rider had refused the offer from Noale. Perhaps waiting to hear about the developments on the Marc Marquez-Honda affair. At this point, Aprilia remains the only door to a possible return to MotoGP. And the rider from Forlì wants to realize the true potential of the new prototype. Lorenzo Savadori has already warmed up the saddle, but he is still unable to establish an optimal feeling with the bike.
In mid-April, there will be a test in Jerez, officially for a single private test. Aprilia will use it to understand the true potential of the new bike. But it will also be useful for Dovi to understand whether he can aim high with the RS-GP, which will still be able to count on the concessions of the regulation. Aleix Espargarò expressed words of praise at the end of the MotoGP tests in Qatar, extolling the good winter work both on the chassis and on the new aerodynamic fairing. The Catalan never left the top of the table during the five days in Losail. Conversely, Lorenzo Savadori still struggles to take off.
BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF APRILIA
Probably Aleix’s words and his performances intrigued Andrea Dovizioso. Probably also attracted by the hypothesis of a satellite team linked to Valentino Rossi’s new team. “The 2021 RS-GP has grown, we have always been fast despite the very high level shown by the others. This does not mean that there is no work to be done”. Underlined the eldest of the Espargarò brothers. “We weren’t able to try everything we wanted and, above all, it is only in the race that we will really understand our level. However, we must keep our feet on the ground, with the awareness that we can finally fight in the group of the best“.
Optimistic pre-season impressions or real feelings of evolution? The track will give the first confirmations. In fact, the new RS-GP has gained weight, but also downforce and agility when cornering. “It is much heavier, after the race simulation I was totally exhausted“. In some ways, the MotoGP of Noale seems to be getting closer to the Yamaha M1. “From my point of view the Yamaha is one of the best bikes in the world and it is the most stable. We are going a bit in this direction with the chassis“. A luxuriant future could open up for Aprilia, with Andrea Dovizioso as the rider and a new satellite team. The rumours seem to bring Valentino Rossi’s VR46 closer to the Venetian brand.