After Aleix Espargaró announced his full-time retirement from MotoGP at the end of the season, Maverick Viñales will also leave Aprilia to embrace a new challenge with Red Bull KTM Tech3 in 2025.
It means a significant double loss for the Noale manufacturer, which is looking to finally enter the fight for titles in the premier class and will have to restart almost from zero in terms of riders.
Espargaró has been the «helmsman» of the project – it’s no coincidence that he has the nickname «Il Capitano» («The Captain»). He arrived in 2017 when the results, reliability, and performance were very modest, contributing greatly to the gradual progress until the RS-GP became a bike capable of fighting for podiums.
As for Viñales, he only joined Aprilia in September 2021, but since then he has consolidated his position and importance within the project – being clearly visible with new form growth and improved results after signing with the manufacturer. Simultaneously, the manufacturer ended its partnership with Gresini to become a full-fledged factory team.
Thus, Espargaró and Viñales are not only Aprilia’s references in terms of results and performance but also in experience with the bike. Whoever comes in 2025 will always know less about the RS-GP – even if it is one of the current Trackhouse Racing riders, who have only been riding Noale machines since last year. Oliveira has had the most recent version only since the beginning of this year, while Raúl Fernández hasn’t had that chance yet.
Jorge Martín is confirmed as one of Aprilia’s riders, bringing with him the important experience of four seasons at Pramac with a Ducati – currently the most competitive bike. He is also a significant asset to the project of the manufacturer integrated into the Piaggio group, but he will have to get to know a new team and bike, and adaptations can take time – especially without a reference like Viñales would be.
Therefore, it is a significant double loss that Aprilia seems increasingly close to facing. Not only for what Espargaró and Viñales can add to their competitors with the knowledge they have, but also because of having riders with relatively limited experience within the manufacturer, the team, and the RS-GP.