Keeping in theme with a busy week of Team Presentations, Aprilia Racing will be the penultimate side to launch their campaigns and unveil their 2022 bikes on Thursday, February 10th. It’s been a hectic period for the Noale factory, with several days of testing at Sepang to be followed up by the upcoming Mandalika Test at the weekend. Before then though, we’ll know a little more about their ambitions for the upcoming season in addition to the livery on the RS-GP that Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales will ride.
Espargaro is coming into his sixth season as an Aprilia rider, and 12th in MotoGP™, having delivered a first podium to the factory at the British GP last year. That doubled his premier class tally and undoubtedly the number 41 will be targeting further success after the RS-GP’s huge progress over the past 12 months. The Spaniard has proved pivotal in bringing the bike to a competitive level, and any further top three results would be just desserts for Espargaro.
On the other side of the garage is a rider who is no stranger to the podium, with Maverick Viñales claiming 28 rostrums during his premier class career, including nine victories. The last of those wins came at the 2021 season opener, taking P1 at the Qatar GP while he still donned the factory Yamaha colours. Since then, it has been a turbulent time for the Spaniard; the highs of marriage and becoming a father mixed with a souring relationship with the Iwata factory. Mid-way through last year, he surprised the paddock by announcing he’d signed a contract with Aprilia before competing in five races, scoring points in two. Now familiar with the RS-GP, Viñales will surely be aiming to bring home a first-ever race win for the Noale factory.
It’s certainly a season with plenty of promise for Aprilia, and you can hear the thoughts of both riders as well as those who keep things ticking behind the scenes from 11:00 CET, and as always, it will be available to watch LIVE & FREE on motogp.com. Make sure you tune in then.