Massimo Rivola Reveals Who’ll Take 2025 Leadership Role at Aprilia
Following Aleix Espargaro's departure from active MotoGP racing, Massimo Rivola explains who'll take over the Spaniard's leading role in the…
With Aleix Espargaro readying himself for the final chapter of his full-time racing career and the next beyond as Honda’s new test rider, the Spaniard has been paying tribute to long-time Aprilia collaborator Romano Albesiano, who will join him in making the switch to Honda for the 2025 season.
Having spent time as Aprilia’s Technical Director, Albesiano will take the same role in HRC – ending a fruitful partnership that served as a building block in Aprilia’s rise in MotoGP.
Talking with the media about their time together, Espargario explained, “I knew they were looking to reinforce the Japanese technical team with a European. I know how good Romano is and what he did at Aprilia was pretty impressive.”
“I believe so much in Romano’s talent. The time and perspective on things that people had, you’ll value a bit more what Romano and myself did at Aprilia, sincerely.
Espargaro and Albesiano have been working together for over six years now. The two have worked hard to bring the Aprilia MotoGP project from its ground-up rebuilding to what it is presently.
“What Romano was able to do these last six or seven years at Aprilia has been amazing. Remarkable,” he said.
“We’ve grown these last two or three seasons, but the first ones were very difficult. He never gave up, he had a lot of ideas, and he made the bike better year by year.”
The jump to HRC is a new challenge for both of them, one that Espargaro has put forward as the reward for hard work.
“It’s unbelievable, like a dream, to be the technical director of HRC,” he said, underlining how important Albesiano joining one of the most prestigious and historic MotoGP factories is.
“I think HRC doesn’t have to change everything – they have won a lot in the past with their way of work – but obviously today the Italian engineers are on top of the world. So to mix this it will make Honda really, really strong for next year.”
Espargaro also sees Honda’s faith in Albesiano and the team they built at Aprilia as a testament to the quality of the work they’ve done.
“Once again, that Honda HRC put the target on Romano, myself as a test rider, my crew chief, one mechanic that’s going to join me also – it means that we did a really good job at Aprilia in the past. So full credit to Aprilia, because we have to be very proud of what we’ve all achieved.”
