ALEIX EIGHTH AND MAVERICK ELEVENTH IN THE GP OF AUSTRALIA

APRILIA RACING UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE GOOD PERFORMANCE FROM FRIDAY IN THE RACE, BOTH RS-GP MACHINES FINISH FAR OFF THE PODIUM

The good sensations experienced by Aprilia Racing on Friday were not confirmed on the Saturday dedicated to qualifying and, partially due to the change of programme forced by the looming foul weather, in the 27-lap GP.
In fact, the usual order of the Grand Prix and the Sprint Races was inverted due to the rain and high winds forecast for tomorrow, so the short race is still on the schedule.

On Friday, the factory RS-GP machines distinguished themselves, taking top-ten spots easily with Maverick in third place. However, Viñales struggled in Q2, finishing in the ninth spot on the grid. Espargaró did better than him, taking the fourth spot on the grid.
After a good start from the second row, Aleix progressively lost contact with the leading group, partly because of a battle for sixth that lasted throughout the entire race. The many overtaking manoeuvres, to his advantage and detriment, with Miller, Marc, and Alex Marquez, and in the finale also with Bezzecchi, progressively increased the gap between that group and the one leading the race. In the battle that lasted all the way to the finish line, Aleix finished eighth.

Farther back, Viñales had to settle for eleventh. Maverick did not start badly, but the battle in the central group kept him from finding a pace acceptable and consistent enough to attempt a comeback.

ALEIX
"It was a difficult race. From the start, we struggled with grip on some sections of the track, but just enough that we were unable to do the same pace as those at the front. I knew that it would be a race where we’d need to manage the tyre well and I tried to do so at the start, but it was not enough because, especially on the right-handers, there was a lot of spin. If the Sprint Race is held in the dry tomorrow, we may have better chances. I was fast in both qualifying and practice using the softer rear."

MAVERICK
"Nothing really out of the ordinary happened, this was simply our level today. I expected this, partly because the traction was not good yesterday. I tried to look after the tyres today, but it didn’t make much of a difference. We need to focus on improving the bike. If we are able to this weekend, it would be an important step, also in view of next year. What we need to do is understand the difficulties and learn from them."

THE GOOD MOMENT CONTINUES FOR APRILIA RACING: IN AN EXTREMELY FIGHTED SESSION THE TWO RIDERS ACHIEVE THE TOP TEN WITH VIÑALES THIRD AND ALEIX NINTH

GOOD RACE PACE FOR BOTH WITH A VIEW TO THE GP WHICH, GIVEN THE VERY BAD FORECAST FOR SUNDAY, WILL BE RUN ON SATURDAY, INSTEAD OF THE SPRINT

Perhaps the most spectacular track of the entire calendar, both in terms of layout and the setting overlooking the ocean, confirmed itself right from the first MotoGP practices as the perfect theater for spectacular and hard-fought sessions. In which the Aprilia standard bearers performed well, working on the race pace on used tires and then easily gaining direct access to Q2 qualifying.

Maverick, just a few days after the Mandalika podium, confirmed his speed even on a drastically different circuit. Symptom of a now consolidated feeling with the RS-GP, which only requires precise work on the details. At Phillip Island the object of attention is the last sector, where both riders were less incisive. Nonetheless, Viñales set the third fastest time which includes him in the second qualifying and lays the foundations for a good weekend.

Aleix's performance goes beyond his ninth place finish, which came after a less than perfect time attack. The Spanish rider has in fact concentrated his work on race configuration, with medium rear tyre. Finding an interesting pace but, mirroring his teammate, losing a few tenths in the last sector.

ALEIX
"This year the track has a lot of bumps and I lose time especially in the last corner. On the rest of the circuit I feel okay, today we worked hard and well with the medium tire and I'm very happy with my pace. On the decision to do the race on Saturday: I agree, it seems like the right choice for the Championship, for the points up for grabs, for the fans. Then, if the conditions are right on Sunday, even with rain or wind, we will do the Sprint."

MAVERICK
"It was a very positive day, we worked well and the weather was also fantastic. I feel good on the bike, exactly like in Mandalika and it is very important to have these same sensations on two different circuits, with a different degree of grip even if we found the track with many bumps. For tomorrow we need to improve in the last sector, I lose a lot especially in the last corner, we will analyze the data with the team and if we understand why, and manage to fix the bike, we will be able to do very well. The first objective will be to start in the front rows because we have a good pace and it will be important to be in the fastest group straight away."

From 18-26 November, two-wheel novices and experienced riders will be treated to the very best of biking under one roof at the NEC, Birmingham. Whether you want to see the latest bikes, reminisce over the retros, marvel at the classics or have a go, the nine-day spectacle caters to all your biking tastes.

Let's go...to Motorcycle Live! 

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October
 
Following the massive success of Museum LIVE over the past years, the 9th annual free to attend National Motorcycle Museum “Live” open days, when everyone is invited to visit and check out the museum collection free of charge, is on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October.
 
Along with the Ace Cafe London stand and display, there will also be a host of other free attractions including Star Riders, Experts and live race machine Fire Ups. Special guests include Michael Rutter, James Hillier, Steve Plater, John McGuinness, Kyle Ryde, Ryan Vickers, Rachael Clegg, Allen Millyard, Rick Parkington, and TV’s Henry Cole!
 
With free Museum entry from 8.30am to 5.30pm on both days, everyone arriving on site will be given a timetable with a full list & timings of all the day’s exciting, free, Museum Live events.
 
The Museum shop and restaurant will be open throughout the day with a wide variety of catering on offer, including breakfast, lunch, a range of hot meals & snacks, plus a BBQ.
 
For Museum Live 2023 details and updates see link:
 
See you at the Ace !