Missing Free Practice 1 due to weather conditions played a big role in the Italian GP for Aprilia, every session precious for the infant project. With one less session, Stefan Bradl and his team continued to make improvements right until the end of Warm Up. The German jumped forward off the line and pushed from the start to try and take as many positions as he could. He held 13th for much of the race but bike issues towards the end of the race forced him to concede his position to Eugene Laverty (Aspar Team MotoGP), finishing the race in 14th. The RS-GP is now regularly able to finish in the points, proof that the project is developing and is growing increasingly competitive in the cut throat premier class.
Stefan Bradl: “It was definitely a demanding weekend for us. We did a lot of work, testing a lot of solutions, but I never found a 100% satisfactory setup. Even in the warm-up session we made a change that provided some benefits but that we need to look at more closely when we have more time. In the race I had a good start and then I tried to be aggressive straight away. I knew I didn't have the best pace, so I set my sights on staying with the group. Unfortunately, with ten laps left to go the rubber tank covering that is used to give your legs grip and to stabilise the bike detached, and on a track like this one that cost me the chance of making up a place.”