‘It has to work everywhere’
There’s no doubt that Aprilia’s RS-GP is fast enough to challenge, but the factory need to make the bike work everywhere. The bike works brilliantly one weekend and not so brilliantly the next, which isn’t good enough when you’re fighting Ducati.
The RS-GP’s strong points are its engine performance and its corner speed, which gives it a real advantage at faster, flowing circuits. Aprilia say they’ve fixed the braking issues (which are likely related to bike balance and exhaust valves, which play an important role in fine-tuning engine-braking) but the riders don’t agree, so the engineers need to listen.
Trackhouse Racing’s takeover of the troubled RNF Aprilia team may help in this process. Trackhouse will be more closely linked to the factory and are pushing to get 2024 RS-GPs, instead of running last year’s bikes. If this happens it will accelerate short-term set-up and longterm development.
Aprilia also need some better luck in 2024, after suffering more than their fair share of rider injuries last season.
The other part of the inconsistency puzzle is Maverick Viñales, the so-called king of winter testing, who topped November’s postseason tests at Valencia.
The former Moto3 world champion is one of MotoGP’s fastest riders, but only when things go his way. His riding in the early laps of races is often disastrous – he just can’t hack it when there’s chaos all around.
If I was the boss I’d send him to a sports psychologist to fix these issues, which are wasting his talent and the performance of his RS-GP.
That is how Clive Padgett describes Ian Hutchinson rejoining his Milenco backed Honda squad.
“It is a like a homecoming and it is a very human story after all that Ian has been through with his injuries and the stroke.”
Although the pairing last enjoyed major TT success together in 2010 with their historic five-timer, Hutchy rode a CBR600RR in Padgett’s colours during 2018, finishing 11th and 16th in the Superpsort TT races. With the vast experience of the Padgett’s squad
‘Can Hutchy win again? I have to say yes’
behind him, the ambition is for more impressive results during ’24.
“Ian’s desire to win is incredible and if you ask me if I think he can win again, I have to say yes,” said Clive. “Why not? We brought Bruce Anstey back from the verge of retirement to win another TT at 46. I am a true believer and although riders like Peter Hickman have moved on to another level, Hutchy has the pedigree.”
Some may say the Padgett’s boss is delusional but as the leader of a team that has won TT races over six decades, Clive has a better understanding than most of what is required to win on the island.
Plans are already in place for a three day test in Estoril during January and for four days at Almeria. Early season outings in No Limits Endurance and BSB meetings will follow as Hutchy and the Milenco Padgett’s team build their pace. But the decisions around who Hutchy’s teammate will be and exactly what spec of Honda superbike the team will field in 2024 are still in the planning.
“We are looking forward to Conor Cummins making a decision early in the New Year,” Padgett said after a recent meeting with the Manxman who is rumoured to be considering moving on after seven seasons with the Batley team.