Another Aprilia test would be "ideal" - Dovizioso

After completing an eagerly anticipated three-day test at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto in April, Andrea Dovizioso was back on board Aprilia’s RS-GP at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello for two more test days this week. 

Unfortunately for Dovizioso and the Noale factory, the weather didn’t play ball. Both days were affected by rain, but that didn’t mean Dovizioso didn’t enjoy his time on track with the 2021 RS-GP. In fact, it could be a blessing in disguise for Aprilia ahead of a potentially wet weekend at Le Mans, with Dovizioso confirming his and Aprilia’s priority turned to focusing on how the bike handled the wet weather when the heavens opened.

“I was very happy to get back on the track with Aprilia, especially here in Mugello. It is a special circuit. The emotion I feel lapping on this track is unique. We weren’t lucky with the weather, but we still tried to exploit these two days of testing,” began Dovizioso.

“The grip was certainly not ideal for pushing hard, so we focused on understanding and improving the way the RS-GP performs in these conditions. At the end of the previous test, I did not express any definitive opinions because it was just an initial contact, and I think it would be wrong to do so now after two days of rain,” continued the 15-time MotoGP™ race winner, before confirming his desire to have another test on the RS-GP, and reiterating he’s relaxed about his future plans.

“I clearly have some ideas, but I think it would be ideal to have another chance to get to know the Aprilia better. I am very happy about the interest generated by my return to a MotoGP bike but, as I have already said, I do not have any long-term plans. I'm having fun, I am relaxed and I’ll evaluate my decisions one step at a time.”

Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Technical Director, also offered his thoughts on Dovizioso’s Mugello test outing: “Even with the adverse weather, these were two important days. In any case, we tested the RS-GP in the wet for the first time and the indications we had from an expert rider like Andrea are extremely valuable.

“And, I must say that Andrea lapped rather well in these conditions, with rather interesting times. There is also an aspect that is less connected to pure performance and more to reciprocally getting to know one another that obviously improves with every date. The two days in Mugello were a chance to learn how to get better acquainted and work well together.”

Keep your eyes peeled for any updates on a potential third Aprilia test for Dovizioso.