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Category: Superbikes
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THE MIDDLE CLASS OF THE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINATED BY KALEB DE KEYREL AND HIS RS 660
10 WINS, 16 PODIUMS AND 6 POLES IN 13 RACES, 68 POINTS AHEAD OF THE SECOND PLACED RIDER: A SEASON TO REMEMBER
The title was already in the bag after the penultimate round of the championship, given the advantage accumulated by champion Kaleb De Keyrel during the 2021 season of the MotoAmerica championship, Twins Cup category. Kaleb and the new Italian twin-cylinder Aprilia RS 660 dominated the season with 234 points, 68 more than his closest rival.
But the overall numbers after the last race in Alabama are even more impressive. Aprilia's new lightweight sportsbike took victory in 10 of the 13 heats, spread over 9 stages. Added to this are 16 other podiums (9 second, 7 third places) and 6 pole positions. Podiums occupied entirely by Aprilia RS 660s were not uncommon, as in the debut race in Atlanta, in Monterey or in both races held in New Jersey.
The Aprilia RS 660 proved to be a versatile bike, capable of winning on extremely different circuits and with riders with different riding characteristics. Even without particularly thorough preparation, since the MotoAmerica Twins regulations, recognising the Italian bike's great technical qualities already in the street version, apply a "balance of performance" system, limiting the interventions possible in all areas: chassis, electronics and engine.
At the end of the season, it's already time to look ahead to the next championship, with a dual objective. While the aim is obviously to confirm the 2021 title, at the same time the number of riders and teams equipped with the Aprilia RS 660 will increase. But first, the winner Kaleb De Keyrel will face the specialists of the Italian Trofeo RS 660 in the last round at Vallelunga.
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Team Gresini confirms its commitment to the Moto2 class of the MotoGP World Championship and next year will be at the starting blocks with two series rookies: Alessandro Zaccone and Filip Salac.
For Alessandro Zaccone, this is a return home as the Italian was already part of the #GresiniFamily in 2020 in the MotoE category. The twenty years old Italian is only 22, but with a wealth of experience on his side: he already raced with good results in the CIV, in the CEV and in the World Championship and he is currently among the title contenders in MotoE, with the title battle being decided this very weekend at Misano.
Filip Salac will be on the opposite side of the garage: another young rider (19 years old) who is ready to make the jump to the new category after three years in Moto3, in which so far he has been able to collect 108 points. His highlights have been a podium in Le Mans (2nd place) and a pole position at the Sachsenring.
Both riders will keep their traditional numbers, with the riders confirming #12 on his front fairing and Zaccone making his debut in the middleweight class with his #61. And this is not all, because starting from next season will have a new head of operations, as Luca Gresini will take the reins of the team in the intermediate class.
ALESSANDRO ZACCONE #61
“First of all, I’d like to say that I’m super happy to return to the track with Gresini Racing and especially in the Moto2 class. This has been my target for many years and I’m finally getting the opportunity I’ve been looking for quite a long time. I’m sure we’ll have the best package at our disposal, and I believe that racing with an Italian team like Gresini is the best way to enter this new category. I’m sure we won’t waste this big opportunity and I would like to thank the Gresini family for it.”
FILIP SALAC #12
“I’m extremely happy to join Gresini Racing, a team I consider among the best in the paddock and one that has plenty of experience in this category. Honestly, I can’t wait for 2022 to begin in order to make the jump into the new category. It means a lot to me, with MotoGP getting a bit closer. I will give my best to show what I’m capable of.”
NADIA PADOVANI GRESINI – TEAM OWNER & TEAM PRINCIPAL
“I’m very happy to announce that we will again be on track next year in the intermediate class with two strong and young riders such as Alessandro Zaccone and Filip Salac. It was important to confirm our presence in Moto2, a historical class for Gresini Racing which will see Luca Gresini as Team Manager. We strongly pushed for this project, and I must thank the whole Gresini Racing team for the huge work done during these months that allowed us to confirm Moto2 alongside MotoGP.”
#CiaoFaustoâ¤ï¸
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APRILIA RS 660 DOMINATES THE TWINS CUP CLASS IN MOTOAMERICA
KALEB DE KEYREL IS 2021 CHAMPION THANKS TO HIS SECOND PLACE IN NEW JERSEY
TOMMASO MARCON WINS ON HIS DÉBUT WITH APRILIA
It’s fair to refer to Aprilia’s adventure in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup class as domination. In fact, in its début year, the RS 660 literally changed the face of the category, turning up in the paddock with almost no preparation, but immediately taking on a highly prominent role.
It is no coincidence that the title was clinched with a Race 1 podium in New Jersey that was monopolized by the Italian twin-cylinder and where second place finisher Kaleb De Keyrel earned the points he needed to be crowned the 2021 champion. This is a triumph that will take him to Italy for a wild-card spot in the last round of the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy in Vallelunga.
Credit goes to De Keyrel and Team Robem Engineering, who skillfully exploited the technical potential of the RS 660, which proved to be in its element right away on the demanding American tracks. This is a testament to its DNA which, although intended for the best possible street use, in no way betrays its competitive nature. The ideal compromise between light weight, power, and the proverbial chassis structure from Noale.
The perfect weekend was topped off by Race 2, with no fewer than four RS 660 bikes in the top four spots. Winning the race was Italian Tommaso Marcon, riding in a special wild-card spot and tester for the 660 project, ahead of Anthony Mazziotto and fifteen-year-old surprise Maxwell Toth, on the podium twice in his Twins Cup "first".
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ANOTHER RACE AT THE FRONT FOR ALEIX AND APRILIA
MAVERICK’S FEELING IMPROVES LAP AFTER LAP
ALEIX: "EXTREMELY FAST RACE, IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION"
MAVERICK: "IT’LL TAKE TIME BUT WE’LL GET THERE, I’M CERTAIN OF IT"
Another race with the best, from the first to the last lap, and a podium just barely missed. By now, Aleix and Aprilia are no longer a surprise. The RS-GP in the hands of the Spaniard confirmed that it is capable of battling consistently for the podium.
On the friendly Aragòn track, warmed by a decidedly summer climate, the leading group maintained an extraordinary pace. Espargarò started well from the second row, managing his position in fourth place during the early laps and even getting a taste of the podium. Only a drop in the finale kept him from launching the decisive attack against Joan Mir, but fourth place is still an extremely important result, also in terms of the championship: in fact, Aleix is now seventh in the rider standings with 96 points.
Finishing his first race for Aprilia, Maverick Viñales achieved the goal for the weekend, which is still to gain experience astride a new bike and on a new team. The Spanish rider’s feeling improves with every outing and the 23 days today represent an extremely important set of information and experience, especially in preparation for the 2022 season.
ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"In the race today, the pace was out of this world, especially at the front, and even physically I can’t remember too many Sundays that have been this demanding. I’m pleased with the position, but more than anything, with the consistency we’re demonstrating, which is still my primary goal for this season. Considering the fact that in the finale, since overtaking Mir for third was impossible and I had a good gap ahead of Miller, I increased the pace a bit, I was still able to keep up with the riders who were making the difference over the rest of the grid. This means that we can battle with anyone and on any track, which is a huge step forward for me and for Aprilia."
MAVERICK VIÑALES
"I’m satisfied with the weekend overall. We knew that the position wouldn’t be our primary objective. In fact, I used a slightly different setup in order to continue experimenting with this new bike and gather information. I started well – that’s the first positive note – and in terms of tyre management, I must also admit that the situation is good. Maybe if we had started a bit farther forward, we’d be talking about a different race, but the flying lap in practice is a question of confidence and that will come with time and miles. We are at a point that requires great effort and work, but I know that we’ll be successful in the end."
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BATTIPAV ENTERS MOTOGP WITH TEAM GRESINI
Team Flex-Box Gresini MotoGP has a new ally for the next two seasons in Battipav, a leading company in the production of machines and tools for the construction industry – who joins the Faenza-based squad as official sponsor.
Based in Cotignola, few kms away from Faenza, Battipav is an institution that operates at world level, including all the countries hosting a MotoGP World Championship event: this is surely a very important added value, which will give Battipav the chance to activate the sponsorship in the company’s most strategic markets.
The Battipav brand will be visible on the Ducati machines and riders’ leathers of Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio, as well as in the Gresini MotoGP garage and transportation vehicles.
STEFANO TONDINI – BATTIPAV OPERATIONS MANAGER
“We’re very happy with this new partnership, which will increase our visibility online and offline worldwide. We’re present in all the 22 countries of the upcoming season and our will be to allow a selected circle of partners and agens the thrill of motorcycle racing, as they will be in a prominent position at the racing weekends.”
CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
“Our MotoGP project is constantly evolving and we’re happy to announce Battipav as our new partner for the next two seasons. Battipav is a company from our territory and the feeling with them was strong and immediate, also thanks to a wide range of common values: leadership, international presence and team spirit. All the prerequisites are there to develop a strong and long-lasting partnership, so I would like to thank Stefano and his family for their trust in Gresini Racing’s projects.
#CiaoFausto
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