The first day of testing for Andrea Dovizioso ended prematurely because of the rain which fell sharply in the afternoon and flooded the Mugello route. The rider from Forlì completed a total of 25 laps in eight trips.
When the track was completely wet, Andrea even went out with rain tires, but after realizing that it was difficult to stay upright even on the straight – “it’s a red flag train”, he said – due to severe ‘aquaplaning’ he decided to stop the continuation of the tests and postpone it until tomorrow.
The Aprilia test team brought an RS-GP with different ergonomics to Mugello to adapt it to the ex-Ducati rider. One tank, one sitting position. Lots of components, but unfortunately no chance for real testing.
“We try to do what is best for him and for us and we believe that he can make a very important contribution to our growth,” stated Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing helping us take another leap forward to make, which we still lack. It’s really nice to see a top level driver like Dovizioso at work, so analytical and precise. I am convinced that he is one of those riders who will allow the bike and with it the team to grow. We don’t want to put too much responsibility on Dovizioso, but it could be another step in our team’s growth.
Rivola and Romano Albesiano’s idea, even if thinly camouflaged, is to continue with Dovizioso.
“Maybe we can think of 2022, but we sincerely believe that Dovizioso’s future is more in his hands than in ours” – Rivola admitted and Albesiano revealed – “the right decision would be to take the next test in Misano” .