Here's In Which Area Aleix Espargaró Expected More From the 2023 Aprilia
Categories: MotoGP
Although the first day of testing in Sepang was not a disappointment for Aleix Espargaró, the Spaniard had expected more from his new bike in some areas.
After the lunch break on the first day of testing in Sepang, Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaró were the first riders to report on their first impressions of their new bikes.
The latter still sees potential for improvement, especially in the engine department. Espargaró is not worried, however, and points out that there are still two more days of testing to go.
The Aprilia team is trying to continue the successful ride from last season. Espargaró reports that “many small changes” have been made.
“We have a ‘hybrid’, an in-between thing, and a full 2023 bike. I put the 2022 bike aside, but the difference is not huge. The 2023 bike is not a revolution, it’s pretty similar.”
For the test in Sepang, the team around the two Spanish regular riders plans to test mainly aerodynamic parts. Espargaró reports:
“The aerodynamics are also different and in that area we still have a lot of parts to test – some here in Sepang, some not until Portimão.”
Despite the many minor modifications, the Aprilia star is not disappointed, but he had expected more from the new version. “I had expected maybe a bit bigger changes.”
Espargaró is not worried, however. After all, it was enough for second and sixth place on the timing sheets for the Aprilia factory riders.
“I have a 2023 bike here, just one. It’s not the definitive one yet. We still have two days and many things to test.”
In terms of engine power, Espargaró reveals that they are not yet at the highest performance level.
“They told me that they will upgrade the race engines a bit more – because we need that, I was expecting a bit more power. But it’s still early.”
The mood in the Aprilia garage is good after the first day of testing. A drop in performance compared to 2022, as predicted by some experts, does not seem to have happened for now.
“I also rode the 2023 bike in the last part of the morning. It looks good, they have changed many small things on the bike.”
“We still have a lot of time and we will see if the bike is competitive enough. It looks good though.”
