Aprilia has “a long way to go” in reducing the MotoGP deficit

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admits that his MotoGP team “still has a long way to go” to close its gap to the leaders, despite having a podium breakthrough in 2021.

The Italian brand made its biggest step forward in MotoGP in 2021, seven seasons on its return after being one of only two manufacturers to build an entirely new motorcycle amid the development freeze enforced by COVID.

Aleix Espargaro proved to be a consistent top eight finisher throughout the campaign, claiming Aprilia’s first podium in the modern MotoGP era when he finished third in the British Grand Prix.

The Spaniard ended the year in eighth place overall with 120 points.

“Yes, it was definitely a good season compared to the past,” said Rivola at the end of the 2021 season.

“We are very interested in fighting for 2022. First of all we will be a factory team in the championship, but if we look at our progress from ’19, ’20, ’21, hopefully ’22 will keep that development and we will close the gap forward.

“But we’re still behind so there is still a long way to go.”

Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Behind the scenes, Aprilia’s 2021 season was unstable as the brand was shaken in February by the death of Fausto Gresini – whose team led Aprilia’s entry from 2015 to 2021 -.

Prior to that, Aprilia had few opportunities to take second place when Andrea Iannone was put on a four-year doping ban – with a number of MotoGP names including Andrea Dovizioso and Moto2 rejected the team.

Lorenzo Savadori was taken out before being replaced by Maverick Vinales at the Aragon GP after being ousted by Yamaha.

Vinales managed a best-of-eighth at the Emilia Romagna GP, but only picked up points twice in the last six races trying to adapt to the RS-GP.

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However, Rivola is “convinced” that Aprilia 2022 can get the most out of the nine-time MotoGP race winner.

“The approach we took with Maverick was to do the races as a test, which means trying different parts and setup configurations to see which is better for him,” he added.

“This certainly sacrifices the results of the race itself and a bit of his confidence that was a little more difficult to build.

“But I am sure that we have a super talent in Maverick and I am convinced that we will find the way to combine our resources with his talent.”