For Aprilia, time goes by so quickly that the Venetian manufacturer would have to exceed the speed of light to slow it down. A goal that even the increase in performance of the RS-GP with Aleix Espargarò on board cannot achieve.
Eighth place for the Spaniard in Mugello, less than two seconds behind Jack Miller and well ahead of Maverick Vinales, confirms the growth of the competitive project, confirmed by being around 8 seconds behind the winner Fabio Quartararo.
However, Aprilia is only fast on the track, because in the pits she is still in the starting blocks. In terms of performance, it’s somewhere in the middle of the field today, but it’s not moving much. Or so it seems.
These are the facts: The manufacturer, led by Massimo Rivola, has announced its intention to double the number of its motorcycles in the starting field and to set up a satellite team. It was believed that this could be the Gresini team, but recently this possibility has been rapidly declining as Ducati, aiming to get eight motorcycles, is offering its range as well as the newborn Aramco VR46 team, also on the Gresini team , has expanded. .
It is more than likely that Rivola’s offer will be more economically advantageous than Ducati’s, but the GP21 seems to be a better choice for drivers and team managers. But that’s obviously not the only problem …
Should Nadia Padovani, Fausto’s widow and Carlo Merlini, his right-hand man finally decide for Ducati, the risk after Andrea Iannone’s would be another short end in Aprilia’s hands, while another is on the menu: Andrea Dovizioso’s for Rivola.
While there is nothing Aprilia can do at this moment to hold Gresini back and double the number of bikes on the track – it is not her decision – she also wastes time at the front of the riders – Wait in the meantime, but better hope that in 2022 Dovi will give up the role of test driver and agree to return to racing.
The rubber band is stretched at this point and threatens to tear, because a decision on the second rider has to be made by the end of June. In fact, until that date, the option that Ducati is on is Enea Bastianini, one of the most promising young talents, expires. In order to block it, Aprilia would have to sign a preliminary contract with Bastianini in the event that Borgo Panigale does not have space to place it (VR46 will likely use Marini and Bezzecchi), but this does not currently exist.
And with some of the best Moto2 riders that KTM has already selected as options – we’re talking about Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez – there would probably only be the talented Joe Roberts present, but would be a newcomer to the category, with all the risks involved.
In short, Aprilia should have Einstein in the garage, not only because of his analytical intelligence, but also to slow down time and make the decisive decisions immediately.