Category: Moto GP

1. APRILIA RACING TEAM MOTOGP 2023

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 12th Mar 2023

   APRILIA RACING IS READY FOR THE 2023 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

   AS PLANNED, THE PROJECT CONTINUES ITS DEVELOPMENT: FOR THE FIRST TIME FOUR RS-GP BIKES AND FOUR TOP RIDERS WILL BE ON TRACK

   AFTER THE EXCELLENT 2022 SEASON, THE EVOLUTION OF THE PROJECT DOES NOT STOP, WITH THE AIM OF BEING EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE BUT ABOVE ALL TO ENTERTAIN AND MAKE THOUSANDS OF APRILIA FANS AROUND THE WORLD DREAM

   
   From surprise to confirmation: this will be the goal of the MotoGP 2023 season for Aprilia Racing, which presents itself through a fun and engaging video, with team and riders immersed in the atmosphere of one of the most famous TV series.
   Last season, Aprilia experienced impressive growth in terms of results (their first MotoGP win, another eight podium finishes, and two pole positions) which placed the Italian team among the championship protagonists, in the battle all the way to the end of the season for the most prestigious objectives in every category.

   Results which had already been foreshadowed at the start of 2021 when, along with a series of outstanding placings, the first MotoGP podium arrived and results rooted in years of taking steps in the right direction.
   Now Aprilia Racing faces a dual challenge - confirming their potential in the championship battle and continuing to grow, with a few more weapons in their arsenal, beginning with the satellite team and its riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, as well as an additional flow of information that will come in handy in developing the RS-GP.

   But the spotlight will certainly be on the number 41 garage where Aleix Espargaró will once again be fighting for the championship after his fourth place last season - with more than one regret. Team veteran by statistics and "Captain" by unanimous acclamation, Aleix will be able to count on both the perfect symbiosis with a team that has been following him since 2017 and on the experience and maturity that he has built up over more than 200 Motorcycle World Championship Grand Prix races.
   For Maverick Viñales, the positive pressure is just as clear. The talent of the rider from Roses will now be able to rely on complete harmony with the structure of the team and the characteristics of the RS-GP. If 2022 was a year of growth with some spectacular high points, 2023 promises to be the year when he will achieve high level consistency.
   Tester Lorenzo Savadori is more than confirmed. His work has been one of the pillars on which Aprilia's huge growth has been built over recent season and he will also be participating in three wild cards, still to be decided.

   On the technical front, the evolution of the Aprilia RS-GP involved every single aspect. The V4 engine, which cannot evolve during the season after losing concessions, has increased in power and maximum RPM whilst maintaining its outstanding rideability. The chassis architecture relies on a frame that has been revisited based on the riders’ requests, striving for traction and stability. The aerodynamics maintain the concepts introduced in 2022 such as the curved side panel or the characteristic configuration of the front winglet and evolves them, confirming Aprilia Racing’s technological leadership in the sector. The electronics benefit from the introduction of a new Magneti Marelli ECU and refined strategy management, the object of constant work which will continue race after race.

   Aprilia Racing’s growth from a structural point of view also continues. New arrivals on the factory team and new organisation to follow the team clients are the most evident results of this. The racing department from Noale thereby perseveres in its commitment to improve from an organisational point of view, as well as in the technology the RS-GP brings to the race.

   Massimo Rivola - Aprilia Racing CEO
   "Our growth is undeniable, as is how rapidly we improved. It is a path that did not come about by chance. We are a better company from every point of view, so I expect this trend to continue. Our challenge will now increase with the further responsibility of a satellite team which, while on one hand will allow us to have much more information available, will also be an important test bench for our organisational and analytical ability. The winter break, which was actually one of the most labour intensive periods, was positive, as were the first tests, but only in the race will we be able to assess our level with respect to our rivals. We’ll be under more pressure and we are faced with a new format which implies new challenges for teams and riders, but we have prepared well and I believe that we’ll start the championship season with extremely high motivation. Goals? To do better than last year."

   Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Technical Director
   "We are rather convinced that we worked well during the winter break and the first tests have already provided some confirmation of this. The technical situation will be new for us, also having a second team to support and from which to be able to draw important information. The race weekends will also bring some changes, with the introduction of the Sprint Race which will demand a specific approach. Every detail of the new RS-GP is an evolution of the 2022 concept, with a numerical improvement of all the main aspects and the development programme anticipates further refinements throughout the season."

   Aleix Espargaró
   "Being with Aprilia for such a long time puts a certain amount of pressure on me because I know how important results are for this company. At the same time, maturity and the fact that I know the people I work with well give me peace of mind. The 2023 championship season will begin with plenty of unknowns. The new format with the Sprint Race on Saturday will demand even more preparation of us riders but no one can truly assess the actual impact of this change yet. I have prepared to my best ability and I am confident that we will have fun again this year."

   Maverick Viñales
   "I learned a lot in 2022 about Aprilia and my team, but also about myself. In this new season, we’ll be able to put everything learned during this apprenticeship into practice. I liked the new RS-GP straight away. It has improved in aspects, such as early throttle opening management, which are fundamental for my riding style. I like the new weekend format. It will be interesting both for the fans and for the teams which will have a chance to prepare for the Sunday race using the Sprint Race. I can't wait to get started. The break was refreshing, but now I just want to get back out on the track!"

   Lorenzo Savadori
   "The new 2023 RS-GP 2023 has clearly grown, but I think there is still margin for improvement. Our goal is to continue testing new solutions. We have some interesting ideas to implement. Physically, I am at 100% after recovering from various injuries so, as always, I will be ready to go. The biggest improvement of the new Aprilia? I’d say the engine. We made more than one step forward and I think that this will help us during the course of the season."

2. CHIARAVALLI NEW MOTOGP TECHNICAL SPONSOR

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 4th Mar 2023

   With the first official test of the year over and a new racing season around the corner, Team Gresini Racing MotoGP will tackle the new challenge with a new technical partner or their side, and a well-known one: CHT Chiaravalli. Gresini Racing will help the all-Italian company develop the RK chains, which CHT Chiaravalli will then commercialise.
    
   Marketing and Racing have never been as tight between the Faenza-based manufacturer and the Varese-based company, both on track again in Algarve on March 9-11. 

   ANDREA CHIARAVALLI – GENERAL MANAGER
   "We’re proud to be alongside Gresini Racing this season. Our two institutions have always been sharing the passion for this sport and the family dimension: we’re sure that, on top of the values we share off the track, we will also add on-track success!”
    
   CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
   “I’m very pleased to announce this new partnership with CHT Chiaravalli, a name that I’d consider iconic in the racing world. But there’s more: CHT is also a bike component. Thanks to this partnership, we began a series of testing and development of the RK chains, a brand that is distributed by them in Italy, and I’m proud to announce that starting from the last test in Malaysia, our Ducati machines feature their chains. I’m sure that this two-level joint effort – marketing and technical – will make the partnership even stronger. I would like to thank the Chiaravalli family for their trust in our project.” 

3. THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BATTIPAV AND GRESINI RACING MOTOGP CONTINUES IN 2023

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 17th Feb 2023

   After last year’s great satisfaction, the will to share the on-track excitement had to continue and this is why we will see the logo of the well-known, Cotignola-based company BATTIPAV on the conveyor of Di Giannantonio and new arrival Alex Marquez’s Ducati machines, as well as on the riders’ leathers, pit-box panels and hospitality.  

   This is a worthy tribute to celebrate the 40 years of activity for the company specialised in machines and tools for the building industry, which operates both on the Italian territory and Internationally thanks to the state-of-the-art projects by the Tondini family.  

   Passion and Made in Italy will be back in full display in Europe and around the world, to deliver unforgettable moments of true sport to the millions of enthusiasts.  

   STEFANO TONDINI – GENERAL MANAGER, BATTIPAV
   “The level of succes achieved in 2022 has created plenty of buzz, but also excited the guests selected by Battipav, who had the lucky chance to celebrate together with Team Gresini at the track! There will be plenty of benefits and surprises in store this year, too, for those brand Ambassadors who chose to wear the colours and values of the Italian company – and will enjoy a true #BattipavExperience. 
    
   CARLO MERLINI – MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, GRESINI RACING
   “First of all, I would like to wish a happy birthday to Battipav! Forty years are quite the milestone for this company, which was able to combine a family atmosphere with innovation, digitalisation and strong attention to human resources – the real asset of every company. And we’re glad that this recurrence coincides with another year of partnership with Team Gresini MotoGP. Last year, in what was the debut season of the Battipav – Gresini MotoGP partnership, was quite a sensational one and we’re sure 2023 has plenty of more excitement in store with Alex and Diggia, two young, talented and extremely motivated riders! I would like to thank Stefano, Ketty and Claudio for their passion and trust.”

4. Suzuki confirms withdrawal from the British Superbike Championship

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 15th Feb 2023

   Suzuki has confirmed its withdrawal from the British Superbike Championship, ahead of the 2023 season.

   Aligning with its global racing strategy – which saw the termination of its MotoGP project as well as a scaling back of factory support in the Endurance World Championship – and following the departure of the current GSX-R1000R model from European markets, Suzuki has suspended its official involvement in the premier domestic superbike series.

   Over the past six seasons – in partnership with Hawk Racing – the Suzuki GSX-R1000R has won superbike and superstock races with the likes of Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, Sylvain Guintoli, Kyle Ryde, Gino Rea, Tim Neave, Billy McConnell, and Charlie Nesbitt behind the ‘bars. And in 2019 Cooper also helped steer Suzuki and Hawk Racing to the National Superstock 1000 Championship title.

   There has also been success on the roads, with Cooper taking podium finishes at the North West 200, while Michael Dunlop raced the GSX-R to victory in the 2017 Senior TT, the bike’s first appearance at the prestigious Isle of Man TT races.

   Suzuki would like to thank the riders and fans for their support, and especially Steve and Stuart Hicken and everyone at Hawk Racing for their hard work and dedication over the last six years, without which none of those historic results would have been possible. Everyone at Suzuki wishes the team well for the future.

   Suzuki will continue to support racers campaigning GSX-R machinery at all levels via its Race Parts Programme.

   

5. APRILIA DOES WELL STRAIGHT AWAY IN SEPANG

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 13th Feb 2023

   FIRST TESTS FOR ALEIX, MAVERICK, AND THE NEW RS-GP: APRILIA’S WORK OVER THE WINTER BREAK PASSES WITH FLYING COLOURS

   One of the most highly anticipated events of the year came to a close today with the chequered flag over the first of the 2023 MotoGP tests. Three days that riders and techs exploited to test and analyse the new technical solutions developed over the winter break.

   All exams were passed in the Aprilia camp. Both Aleix and Maverick approved the new RS-GP, considering it a positive step in all the major areas. From the most visible aerodynamics – the feather in the Italian racing department’s cap – to equally fundamental details such as the engine, the chassis and the electronics package.

   The information gathered during the six days of testing (if we also consider the three shakedown sessions done by tester Lorenzo Savadori), will be analysed and assessed ahead of the Portimão tests. Four weeks of intense work to introduce more new features and to confirm the technical package for the season start.

   Aleix Espargaró
   "I can consider myself satisfied with this first test, despite the weather costing us time yesterday. The new RS-GP is definitely faster than the previous version. It has improved a bit in every area and if we add up many small improvements, the end result is good. This doesn’t change the fact that it’s still too early to form a definitive opinion. The engineers will have a month before the next test in Portimão and much can still change."

   Maverick Viñales
   "I’m pleased. Aprilia did a lot of work over the winter and I already feel much more comfortable on the RS-GP. There are clearly still things to improve, also because in these first tests we tried a lot of different components without going in depth into the setting details. But overall, I think we have higher technical potential than we did at the end of last season and that is an outstanding sensation to have for the first test."