Here's What Keeps Aprilia Optimistic For The French Grand Prix
Categories: MotoGP
It hasn’t been the best of starts to a season for Aprilia Racing. Still, the team remains optimistic in the run-up to the French Grand Prix.
Several times this season both Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales proved in Friday practice that the Aprilia’s basic speed is strong.
It is merely on race Sunday that the Spaniards are lacking a bit of pace. It seems that not much is missing to let the Aprilia riders fight for the top positions.
In Jerez, too, the Italians from Noale showed that victory is not far away. Team captain Aleix Espargaro analyzes:
“We were fast again, however, we also know what keeps us from reaching our full potential in the race.”
After the fourth round of the season, the Spaniard is already 58 points behind championship leader Pecco Bagnaia, while teammate Vinales sits 5th in the standings.
Still Far From Being A Cause Of Concern
However, even the fairly large gap is no cause for alarm for the two more experienced riders. “Aprilia is working hard to improve the RS-GP,” Espargaro praises the team.
“We don’t need to make drastic changes because the bike already works very well. It’s just a matter of time and small details in the right areas.”
“We have worked intensively during the first race weekends.” explains a fairly relaxed Maverick Vinales Aprilia’s current situation. The bike has a strong base and we have tried to eliminate the weak points.”
The Spaniard believes the team made great strides, especially in Jerez, and now hopes to get everything out of its RS-GP.
“I think in Jerez we made further progress, however, it is not easy. The level is enormously high, so a starting place in a row further forward or behind makes for a completely different race. The time has come for us to unleash our full potential.”
