Aprilia announced earlier this week that 15-time MotoGP race winner Dovizioso will ride the RS-GP during a three-day private test in Jerez on April 12th and 14th.
Dovizioso is currently on a MotoGP sabbatical after losing his Ducati seat last season and declining a race offer from Aprilia for 2021 as well as a role as a Yamaha test rider.
It is unclear whether this test will result in Dovizioso taking on a role as a test driver at Aprilia, or if he will serve as a stepping stone to a race drive for the remainder of 2021.
Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
When asked for his thoughts on Dovizioso testing the Aprilia, Espargaro said, “Yes, I am very happy because we have taken steps in recent years to get closer to the top bikes and Aprilia has now taken an important step .
“It will be very helpful for the future, because Andrea is not only a very talented and fast driver, but I think he can be a very good test sensor, sensitive.
“He did a very good job at Ducati because he has won races and fought for the title in the last few seasons.
“So he will give us good feedback about the Aprilia and will be able to help us a lot.
“Can’t wait to try the bike in Jerez and see his reaction to see how he likes the bike and its weak spots.
“I’ve been on this bike for six years and it’s fresh from Aprilia. I’m sure it will give us a different point of view and help us a lot.”
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Espargaro has previously spoken about Dovizioso being his favorite rider in MotoGP and said during winter testing in late 2019 that he would like to mimic what the Italian did to change Ducati’s fortune between 2013 and 2020.
Aprilia’s test team is currently in disarray after the brand rookie added Lorenzo Savadori to the racing team in place of Espargaro in place of their other test driver, Bradley Smith.
While nothing was officially made, it appears that Smith left that role after being absent from the Qatar tests earlier this month, and Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola noted at the start of the team that he was hoping the Brit would be with Aprilia as carry on test driver.