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Category: Superbikes

  1. The 2024 Aprilia Racing season officially kicks off

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    THE RS-GP24 IS UNVEILED, THE ITALIAN BIKE FOR BATTLING AT THE TOP LEVELS OF MOTOGP

    After its on-track début in the opening tests of Sepang, sporting the temporary but spectacular “full-black” livery, the time has come to present the Aprilia RS-GP24 in its official version. A project with a strong technical identity, proudly Italian and which has now reached full maturity.

    After two seasons of constant growth, 2024 represents the year of confirmation for Aprilia. Technical evolution has taken bike and team to an unprecedented level and the racing department from Noale, under the leadership of Romano Albesiano, has taken on this challenge without betraying its DNA. In other words, in an innovative way, with choices that blazed the trail for others and which, in the latest evolution of the RS-GP, find an even more extreme application.

    We are definitely talking about aerodynamics - the most visible part - but every detail has been redesigned and advanced. From the V4 engine to the chassis, from the electronics to the strategies, nothing was overlooked whilst still maintaining a clear connection with the already competitive 2023 base.

    There will certainly be no lack of data to be analysed at the end of each session, given the fact that, in addition to the super-confirmed duo of Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira will be starting the new season on an RS-GP24. Raúl Fernández, the second Team Trackhouse standard bearer, will be using a 2023-spec bike which will then be upgraded to the most recent version. 

    ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
    "The growth we have demonstrated in recent seasons has been incredible. I am proud to be part of this project which I have always considered to be my second family. In 2024, we’ll make another step forward. Last year we were lacking the consistency to battle all the way to the end, but we still demonstrated that we are a tough rival for everyone. It won’t be simple because, even if it seemed impossible, the level in MotoGP has increased even more. I feel like I'm ready - physically and mentally - and I believe in the work that the Aprilia staff has carried out."

    MAVERICK VIÑALES
    "Our 2023 season ended on an upward trend and we want to continue that now. The feeling with the team is outstanding. During the winter break I trained like mad and I have faith in Aprilia Racing’s work. If we continue to set the goal of squeezing the most out of our technical package every weekend, the results will follow naturally. The first tests confirmed the extremely high level of the championship. Practically every rider and every bike on the grid have the potential to battle for the podium. This makes the challenge even more intriguing."

    MASSIMO RIVOLA
    "Over the last few years, Aprilia Racing has undertaken a constant growth process. First becoming a factory team, and then putting four bikes on the track thanks to the satellite team. In 2024, we’ll raise the bar even higher, since Miguel Oliveira will be starting the season on an RS-GP with the same specs as the factory bikes and Raùl will receive it subsequently. This is a significant effort for the racing department, but it is also a sign of this project’s evolution on all fronts. It has not been simple and the season promises to be even more demanding, but at the same time, I believe in the potential of our team. And I am proud of what we have demonstrated thus far, both from a technical point of view and in terms of dedication and commitment. We want to be protagonists in MotoGP and we have everything we need to be able to make that happen. We have four highly qualified riders like Aleix, Maverick, Miguel, and Raùl, a racing department that is courageous and capable of innovation, not to mention that pinch of Italian pride that never hurts in racing."

    ROMANO ALBESIANO
    "Our approach to the 2024 season could not stray from the good base that we had already built, especially over the last two seasons. The RS-GP is a mature project, faithful to the Aprilia philosophy, which we have sought to advance in every aspect. The aerodynamic study is perhaps the clearest. We introduced a few concepts that are definitely innovative in order to improve the load and penetration characteristics. But every detail has been revisited, as must be done in a championship which has placed technological research at unprecedented levels. Having three bikes with the same specs on track from the season start will undoubtedly contribute to streamlining our growth process. We’ll have much more information available that we will then need to skilfully analyse and interpret."

     

     

     

  2. OLI EMBRACES MARQUEZ BROTHERS IN 2024

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    In the year of its 70th anniversary, OLI, a leading company in Southern Europe in the production of flush cisterns and components for the sanitary industry, with a presence in more than 80 countries around the world, confirms its commitment in the premier class alongside Gresini Racing MotoGP, and will be at the starting blocks with Marc and Alex Márquez. 

    After five successful seasons, OLI will be present on the riders’ leathers as well as on the Desmosedici machines, but also on the team pit-box panels, trucks and uniforms – increasing its global visibility in the process. 
     
    Proceedings will get underway on the March 8-10 weekend in Qatar, followed closely by Portugal for what will be the first European Grand Prix at the `Autódromo Internacional do Algarve’ (March 22-24)

    ANTONIO RICARDO OLIVEIRA – OLI MEMBER OF THE BOARD
    "We're entering our sixth season in MotoGP and are excited about the signing of Marc Márquez, an eight-time world champion, who has raised the expectations of good results on the track. It's a winning bet for Gresini Racing, which further reinforces the values of persistence and courage by doing what seemed impossible, but also family values by bringing the two Márquez brothers together in the same team. These are values that OLI and Gresini share and that define our collaboration. This is a different year for OLI, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, and being able to offer our partners the experience in the paddock will be even more special”.

    CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
    “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate together the 70th anniversary of this great institution named OLI. First of all I would like to thank Federica Niboli and Antonio Oliveira for the trust placed in our projects; we will start our six year together and it’s going to be a special year for us, too. The arrival of Marc and the confirmation of Alex after an excellent debut season with Ducati give us great hope for the upcoming season.”

  3. Aprilia RS-GP24 makes its track debut

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    THE ITALIAN PROTOTYPE SHOWED ENCOURAGING SIGNS, BUT  IMPROVEMENT IS EXPECTED

    The work of the Aprilia Racing department during the winter has been relentless, and in the first 2024 test in Malaysia the results were seen. The new RS-GP amazed, especially with a once again innovative aerodynamic study. 

    After the shakedown completed by test rider Lorenzo Savadori, Aleix and Maverick had the chance to start working on the new bike during the three days just concluded. A first contact that still showed encouraging signs: there is still to adapt the characteristics of the bike to the style of each rider, but the potential was judged unanimously high.

    Now MotoGP will move to Qatar for the last test session, scheduled for February 19 and 20, before officially starting (on the same track) the new season.

    ALEIX ESPARGARO'
    "I am satisfied with this first test. If we look at the improvement from last year, I don't think anyone has grown as much as we have. I love the character of the new RS-GP, it allows me to be even faster in cornering and that goes along with my riding style. It is also more stable, albeit a bit more challenging, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We've seen very fast riders and bikes, with incredible fast lap performance as well as great pace: we're at a good level but it's still not enough."

    MAVERICK VIÑALES
    "It was an intense three days, but I would like three more! The new RS-GP definitely has potential, in Aprilia they worked a lot during the winter. At the end of last year I had reached a very high level, especially in corner entry, a feeling that I lack for now. It's just a matter of trying new settings, a different balance, to exploit the strengths of the new design as we did in '23. We still have testing in Qatar to get us ready for the first race, right now I would say we are halfway through the process."

     

  4. AUS Global CHOOSES THE WINGS OF TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP

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    Everything is ready for a new and exciting MotoGP season and Team Gresini Racing MotoGP, after officially presenting to the world the Marquez brothers as the new rider line-up for the 2024 season, is now pleased to announce an important partnership with AUS Global.
     
    AUS Global is an Australian company founded in Melbourne back in 2003. It operates globally and has branches all over the world, offering brokerage services in stock trading and asset management for various financial products. 

    The two-year agreement between the Faenza-based team and AUS Global includes the presence of the company logo on the fins of the two Desmosedici machines as well as on the sleeve of Marc Marquez's suit.

    FRANK DU – AUS Global CEO
    “We are delighted to have reached a global sponsorship partnership with Gresini Racing Team. AUS Global can be seen in 22 races and 20 countries around the world, allowing the AUS Global brand to be closely linked to the exciting MotoGP events. The Gresini Racing Team has been performing well over the past few seasons. In the upcoming 2024 season, with the addition of eight-time world champion and legendary rider Marc Marquez, we have more expectations for the new season. We hope to create great success together with Gresini Racing Team.”
      
    CARLO MERLINI – COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR GRESINI RACING
    “I would like to give a warm welcome to AUS Global as a new sponsor of our MotoGP squad and, above all, as a new member of the Gresini Racing family. AUS Global is the first-ever Gresini Racing partner from the Oceania region, which confirms our boundaryless strategy. The expectations for the upcoming MotoGP season are extremely high and this will offer this newly born partnership the perfect launchpad for all the activations that AUS Global will develop within the sponsorship with Gresini.  I would like to thank Mr Frank Du for his passion and for the trust place in the Gresini Racing’s projects.”

  5. PREMIUM SPARE PARTS SPECIALIST UNBRAKED ZOOMS INTO 2024 WITH GRESINI RACING MOTOGP SPONSORSHIP

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    Unbraked Moto Parts brand has signed a partnership with MotoGP Gresini Racing for the 2024 Season. Through the partnership, Unbraked will increase their brand exposure and legacy, as well as getting premier marketing positioning through the world’s oldest and most competitive motorsport series.

    Hailing from their Girona, Spain headquarters, Unbraked pride themselves in providing their customers and clients the best parts and the most valuable advice for all kinds of motorcycles. As they now increase their reach and array of solutions, it is only natural that they take to the best motorcycling championship in the world as an effective marketing platform.

    And there can be little doubt that there’s no bigger story in MotoGP this year than the Marquez brothers professional reunion under the Gresini Racing roof. Thanks to an exciting turn of events, 2-time World Champion Alex Marquez and 8-time World Champion Marc will be together once again, riding the blue-liveried Ducati machine for the Italian Team.

    EDUARD MONTOJO – UNBRAKED CEO & FOUNDER
    “It’s a special moment. Not only we are expanding towards new markets and opening to new clients worldwide, but we are doing so while partnering with possibly the most exciting story in racing right now. Since the early days, Unbraked is paired with the uttermost passion for riding and an eye for excellence: values that today we share with the Gresini family and and the Marquez brothers”.
     
    SILVIA SCHWEIGER – CLIENT DIRECTOR RTR SPORTS MARKETING
    “I’m very happy about this partnership. Unbraked is a young, passionate and dynamic company with a strong vision and clear objectives for the future and MotoGP and Gresini Racing are the perfect fit for their strategy.
     
    CARLO MERLINI – COMMERCIAL & MARKETING DIRECTOR GRESINI RACING
    "I’m delighted to announce this new partnership between Unbraked and Gresini Racing MotoGP.  The young and dynamic spirit poured by Eduard into Unbraked will definitively drive the partnership to success…not to mention the Marquez duo that, for their popularity and most of all the fun that we all expect them to deliver on-track, will give the right boost to enforce the presence of Unbraked in the markets where they operates as well as stretching the boundaries of the business. I would like to thank Eduard for his trust and enthusiasm."