Last day of testing in Jerez for Aprilia who was lucky enough to find three days of sunshine in Spain. Good news for the men from Noale, who had brought many new components for the RS-GP to test for Aleix Espargarò and Lorenzo Savadori.
The tests took place strictly behind closed doors, but we at GPOne still managed to intercept a photo of the new Italian motorcycle thanks to our… secret correspondents.
After the revolution last year, the RS-GP hasn’t seen any radical changes, but the engineers have worked to refine the project and, logically, introduced some new features.
From the very first pictures that we could “steal” We can see some experiments from an aerodynamic point of view, with a slimmer fairing and also more angular shape, which can be seen in the rear area.
The exhaust has also been redesigned: the rear has a more linear shape, a smaller cross-section and seems to leave more space for the ‘salad box’, as Michele Pirro called the Ducati solution years ago. Last year Aprilia also had this “box” under the stern and for 2021 it seems to have gotten bigger. The side exhaust is much shorter than the previous one and the terminal now has an octagonal section.
Another new feature that Noale has been working on for some time is the carbon swing arm. The 2021 RS-GP prototype assembles it and this solution should be used continuously throughout the season.
The 2020 Aprilia RS-GP version used by drivers for comparisons with the 2020 prototype
The photos don’t suggest much else, even if the engine has also been the subject of attention, considering that Aprilia can take advantage of the concession rules.
Aleix Espargarò seemed to particularly like the new bike, judging by the response of the stopwatch. Today he reduced his benchmark time even further and drove the best lap in 1’37.421, three tenths better than yesterday.
“The first positive aspect of these three days was seeing my team again – Aleix commented – We have been together for a long time and the environment is really good, I missed them during the break. The basis of the RS-GP 2021 is certainly promising, these are only the first tests, but the times were good on a track that is historically not the best for us. There is still a lot to be done in terms of performance, but there have been interesting advances in ergonomics, chassis and electronics. Now we are waiting for Qatar where we will be with all our rivals and see what our real level is. In the hope that Fausto will soon be back on track with us. “
Honda and Stefan Bradl weren’t on the track today, but Aprilia’s Spaniard was able to keep up Dani Pedrosa, who drove a time of 1’38.203 with the KTM. Lorenzo Savadori’s time was just over 1’39 “(he was not in perfect physical shape) while Mika Kallio finished the tests with a best time of 1’39.778.
Lorenzo wanted to send Gresini a wish: “My thoughts go first of all to Fausto, who is currently fighting an uphill battle. I know his spirit and determination and I am close to him because we miss him so much! I can say that getting back on track after the break is always a special moment. Unfortunately for me, these tests were due to a problem in my right shoulder that was preventing me from being 100% in shape. IAt first glance, the feeling with the 2021 bike was good, it seems to have improved in every way, even if I think we still have to work on it. My goal is to be in top form for the next tests in Qatar. “
Miguel Oliveira and Iker Lecuona also used the track in Jerez, logically not on MotoGP motorcycles, but on production bikes (Yamaha R1, as KTM does not have a supersport motorcycle in their range) to do a few laps.
DAY 3 TIMES:
1. Aleix Espargarò (Aprilia) 1’37.421
2nd days of Pedrosa (KTM) 1’38.203
3. Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) 1’39.049
4. Mika Kallio (Aprilia) 1’39.778