When no one expected it, Aprilia announced this Friday that their technical director would be leaving at the end of the MotoGP season, with Fabiano Sterlacchini stepping in on November 18 – just in time for the Valencia test.
Massimo Rivola, the team’s CEO, spoke about this significant change in an interview during the official championship broadcast, stating:
– Obviously I’m very happy. We had a very good time with Romano, together with him Aprilia got their first successes – the double in Barcelona, Maverick’s [Viñales] amazing victory this year. But now I’m really happy to welcome Fabiano onboard.
Regarding what to expect from the former Ducati and KTM member, the Spaniard executive emphasized the importance of experience: ‘He has a lot of experience from Ducati, from KTM. So, we are in the process of strengthening the Aprilia Racing program, with two new young riders, now we also have a new technical director. So, I’m looking forward to it’.
The Italian leader did not go into detail about the process that brought Sterlacchini to Aprilia, simply assuring that everything went ‘very smoothly’ and there was no need to act unusually quickly.
