Aleix Espargaro had a positive two days of testing in Valencia in preparation for 2017, ending up in ninth on day two after finding the RS-GP better than expected. With nothing new to test as yet, the team and rider first evaluated where they are now – and let Espargaro settle into life at Aprilia. Most impressed with the front, the Spaniard is now looking to develop and move the project forward as much as possible – after having also spent two years with Suzuki as that project went from new to race-winning.
Aleix Espargaro (P9, day two): “I’m satisfied with the feeling I had with the bike and with the team. It’s great to have a feeling like that immediately in a team and I’ve felt great these last two days. They’re looking for the same as me and really enthusiastic with the new project. The RS-GP is a little bit more competitive than what I expected, the front is really really good and I’m looking forward to improving, developing the bike and see if we can go in the right direction.”