Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales achieved the first podium entirely for Aprilia in the premier class during the Catalunya Grand Prix. Espargaró won both the Sprint Race on Saturday and the main race on Sunday, with his teammate Viñales finishing in second place. Romano Albesiano, technical director of Aprilia, spoke about the team’s dominance in Catalunya and the current state of the team.
Albesiano explained that both Espargaró and Viñales had an excellent race. Although Viñales had slightly more worn tires, Espargaró’s years of experience with the bike made the difference. Albesiano is optimistic about Viñales’ future, stating that he will reach even higher levels.
According to Albesiano, the Aprilia motorcycle is competitive in almost all scenarios. He believes that the performance of the motorcycle is more related to the rider than to the motorcycle itself. In some circuits, Espargaró stands out exceptionally, while in others, Viñales shines, especially on “Stop and Go” tracks with strong braking zones. Albesiano also commented on the unsatisfactory performance of Japanese brands such as Honda and Yamaha, stating that their methodical and risk-averse approach may be more suitable for production bikes than for racing. He supports granting concessions to Japanese brands to help them improve, stating that it is fair, as they did the same for European brands when they were in difficulties. As for the potential for MotoGP champions like Marc Márquez and Fabio Quartararo to join Aprilia, Albesiano said that this is not in their short-term plans. He praised their current riders, Espargaró and Viñales, for their fantastic performances and potential for growth. In summary, Aprilia’s recent success at the Catalunya Grand Prix marks a significant milestone for the team. With strong performances from both Espargaró and Viñales, the team is optimistic about the future. While they acknowledge the challenges faced by other brands, particularly the Japanese ones, the focus remains on their own growth and success in the MotoGP championship.
