The Italian marque took its biggest step towards the top of MotoGP in 2021, seven seasons after its return after being one of just two manufacturers allowed to build an all-new bike amid the COVID-enforced development halt.
Aleix Espargaro proved a consistent top eight finisher throughout the season and scored Aprilia’s first podium of the modern MotoGP era when he finished third at the British Grand Prix.
The Spaniard ended the year eighth 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 progress and we will close the gap up front.
“But we’re still behind, so there’s 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 has been unstable as the brand was rocked by the death in February of Fausto Gresini – whose team led Aprilia’s entry from 2015 to 2021.
Before that, Aprilia had few opportunities to fill her second seat when Andrea Iannone was handed a four-year doping ban – with a number of names from MotoGP, including Andrea Dovizioso, and Moto2 rejecting the team.
Lorenzo Savadori got the ride before being replaced by Maverick Vinales from the Aragon GP after ousting Yamaha.
Vinales managed a best-of-eighth finish at the Emilia Romagna GP but only scored two points in the last six races as he tried to adapt to RS-GP.
However, Rivola is “convinced” Aprilia 2022 can bring out the best in the nine-time MotoGP race winner.
“The approach we had with Maverick was to do the races as a test, so try different parts and setup configurations to understand what’s better for him,” he added.
“This certainly sacrifices the results of the race itself and a bit of his confidence which has been a bit harder to build.
“But I’m sure we have a super talent in Maverick and I’m confident we will find a way to balance our resources with his talent.”