Finally ready for the big time?
…but will it finally all start paying off?
After a number of false starts Aprilia look to have made a breakthrough with their RS-GP and Espargaro is ready to go
41 ALEIX ESPARGARO
Despite all of the false hope and negativity surrounding the Aprilia camp in the last few years, Aleix Espargaro continues to remain loyal to the project. 2021 marks his fifth season with Aprilia, but Espargaro is still dreaming of a bike which can match his obvious ability and speed on two wheels. The 2020 RS-GP was supposed to be that bike. Its radical new design and tech showed promise during testing, but ultimately failed. The new engine – a 90-degree V4 – had to be turned down over reliability fears and the power that he did have was difficult to get to the ground when accelerating, due to excessive wheelies. There’s a sense of déjà vu in 2021. Aprilia have completely changed the RS-GP once again. There’s an all-new aerodynamic package, new frame and carbonfibre swingarm, new rear seat structure and new cylinder heads. Luckily for Aleix, Aprilia have concessions, so he’s been testing the bike since November and was fast once again at the Qatar tests – consistently finishing inside the top six. Bike stability and acceleration are both said to have been improved, but it’s hard to get carried away given what happened last season.
If the bike is a revolution, we can’t wait to see Espargaro’s 2021 championship performance.
32 LORENZO SAVADORI
In a surprising move, at least to British MotoGP fans, Lorenzo Savadori was given the second seat at Aprilia instead of the more experienced Bradley Smith.
The Italian replaced the Brit for the final three rounds of 2020 but originally a decision on 2021 was going to be made after pre-season testing. Instead Savadori was confirmed at the team’s launch on the eve of the Qatar test. Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola stated that Smith’s experience and characteristics were more suited to being a test rider than Savadori’s and therefore the youngster should have the racing opportunity.
Whilst Savadori is an FIM Superstock and Italian Superbike champion, and was previously a competitive WSB rider, he’s a rookie in the GP paddock. Savadori has not competed in Moto3 or Moto2 and therefore has an awful lot to learn this year, both with his machine and with the majority of the circuits. His task will be to try to be as close to the other three rookies as possible and to take in as much guidance and advice as possible from his experienced teammate, Aleix Espargaro. If Aprilia don’t pile unnecessary pressure on his shoulders, Savadori may find some personal success in 2021.