Aprilia sweat over Aleix’s fitness
Clearly the best of the rest at Sepang last month, Aprilia’s fortunes were slightly more complicated here.
Their four riders looked fast at certain moments across days one and two. But bosses were nervously awaiting the results from Aleix Espargaro’s medical checks on Monday morning after a suspected case of fibrosis in his right arm slowed the factory’s testing programme down on Sunday.
The factory’s ‘Captain’ had to cut his test short due to the issue, which he suspected was brought on by testing new aeros on Saturday.
“With the full aero configuration, the downforce was huge, the corner speed in the last corner and the climb super high,” he explained. “I have no strength on the arm, and I can do just two to three laps and have to stop.”
Aprilia brought a variety of different packages to Portugal, including winglets attached to the forks, and others bolted to the swingarm. Some were so low down, they broke off when the bike was leant over, leading to sessions being red flagged.
Yet the full 2023 engine that was expected here won’t be available to either Espargaro or Maverick Viñales until round one. That should increase RPM and top speed slightly.
All Aprilia riders spoke confidently at the close of day one, with Viñales third and satellite RNF riders Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira fifth and sixth fastest respectively. And Espargaro’s rhythm in short bursts was closer to the top Ducatis than last month at Sepang. “I feel better here than Malaysia,” he said.
“There, Maverick and I were strong on one single lap. But we were not at Ducati’s level on race pace. Here I have the feeling we can match them on pace, which is very interesting.”
Yet Saturday’s optimism was dimmed slightly on Sunday by an engine braking gremlin, which slowed Viñales’ 18-lap race simulation (the Catalan was at least half a second a lap off the fastest names) as well as Espargaro’s physical limitations.
Over the longer runs, Oliveira picked up the baton with a strong rhythm. “For sure Ducati and Pecco are the people to beat,” he said. “But if the race was tomorrow, I think we’re in a good place to perform.”