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Category: Moto GP
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APRILIA IS READY FOR THE JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA CHALLENGE
THE RS-GP HAS SHOWN GREAT PROGRESS THAT MUST BE CONFIRMED IN THE FIRST EUROPEAN 2017 MOTOGP ROUND
MotoGP heads to Europe for the first continental race on the 2017 calendar, scheduled to be held on the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera circuit. It is one of the most classic rounds and an important one in the evolution of the Aprilia RS-GP. The Italian V4, making constant progress from the pre-season tests, will be called on to confirm the encouraging signs shown in the first three races as well.
Both of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders, who are taking a test day in Le Mans, have good reasons to be optimistic about the Spanish race. Aleix Espargaró will be on his home pitch on a track that he knows well and that seems to be a good fit for the characteristics of the RS-GP.
Sam Lowes is looking for his first MotoGP championship points, a feasible goal on the track where he took pole position and won the race last year.
ALEIX ESPARGARO'
“I can't wait to ride again in Europe and especially in Jerez, one of my home Grand Prix races. I like the atmosphere of the Spanish crowd, as well as the track. After the crash in Argentina and the problems in Austin I want to have a normal GP again and we will try to find the best setting to do another good race.”
SAM LOWES
“I have very fond memories of the race in Jerez last year, when I took both pole position and the win. I like the circuit and I will be aiming to take another step forward this weekend. The goal is definitely to earn my first MotoGP championship points.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“Jerez is a different track than the ones we have raced on thus far. The RS-GP does well on this track historically. The engine does not play a crucial role, whereas the bike's braking and wheelie characteristics are important. The level of grip varies a lot with relation to the temperature, so things could change rather quickly from this point of view. In Austin, we figured out a few interesting things about our bike's settings on the rear - information that we will put to use straight away.”
FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
“The first European round always has a special flavour. Jerez is a nice track, a home track for Aleix, where we have built up a fair amount of experience. This could help us to be more competitive straight away and in this period we have worked hard between races and tests to be ready. After the setback in America, I expect to have a good weekend. We have the potential to stay easily in the top 10 and that is our goal.”
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Ex World Champions Wayne Gardner and Freddie Spencer announce a new future for 2017
Following the hugely successful events at Jerez in 2015, and the Sachsenring and Silverstone classic events in the Summer of 2016, World GP Bike Legends was pleased to announce its new manufacturer partnership with Yamaha YME on 23rd March at the legendary Silverstone Circuit.
Ex 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner and ex 250 and 500cc World Champion Freddie Spencer were on hand to do the honours, as was the celebrated Yamaha YZR-500 GP machine along with the new 998cc Yamaha YZF-R1 sportsbike. Both machines will take part in World GP Bike Legends events in the 2017 season.
WGPBL Ambassador, Wayne Gardner, was pleased to make the announcement that Yamaha would work with World GP Bike Legends during the 2017 season. Wayne said “We’ve had an outstanding success with World GP Bike Legends. In three years we’ve gone from an idea to 43 million TV viewers and spectators, and this shows that the fans love their classic bikes and catching up with and talking to the Legend riders. Yamaha is the first of the manufacturers to join us and will be providing their latest sportsbikes for this season.”
While the riders on the World GP Bike Legends circuit will still be seen on the fiery 500cc two-stroke GP bikes of the 1980s and 1990s, the new R1 machines provided by Yamaha this season will allow the riders to race faster and safer with all the noise, spectacle and excitement of 1980s GP racing.
Wayne added, “We’ll still have the classic 500s parading over the weekend, but the races will be with the latest sportsbikes. This will make the racing safer for the riders and allow them to reunite with their brands.”
The R1s provided by Yamaha will be in the classic colours and liveries of the 1980s 500cc GP teams, taking fans back to Grand Prix seasons of the past. The technology associated with Yamaha’s modern sportsbikes will allow the Legend riders to really demonstrate their outstanding ability, as well as adding a new dimension to events.
Ex Grand Prix champions and riders who have competed in previous World GP Bike Legends events include Wayne Gardner, Freddie Spencer, Kevin Schwantz, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Steve Parrish, Graeme Crosby, Loris Capirossi, Christian Sarron, Tadayuki Okada, Pierfrancesco Chili, Didier de Radigues, Carlos Lavado, Garry McCoy, Jeremy McWilliams and Ralf Waldmann.
The first World GP Bike Legends of 2017 will be at the Silverstone Classic on 28-30th July. As the largest classic motor racing festival in the world it attracts more than 100,000 fans over the weekend.
With the increased level of interest from other circuits throughout Europe and worldwide also wishing to host WGPBL, additional events will be announced in the near future.
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AFTER THE GREAT DÉBUT IN QATAR APRILIA SEEKS CONFIRMATION AT TERMAS DE RIO HONDO
The maiden race for the 2017 RS-GP was one to remember, but for Aprilia it is already time to focus on a new challenge. The second race of the 2017 MotoGP season that will be held on the Argentinian Termas de Río Hondo is a new test bench for the progress the Italian bike has demonstrated.
In Qatar, the new RS-GP proved its competitiveness in the race, managing traction and performance, allowing Aleix Espargaró to finish just behind the leaders, taking sixth place after an excellent comeback ride. Performance on the flying lap in qualifying is the situation where riders and mechanics are now seeking further improvement. In the first race, Aleix was the protagonist of impressive progress, but a good position on the starting grid would increase the chances of aiming for an important result.
Therefore, for both of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders, the Argentinian race represents an important exam. If Aleix's goal is to continue the positive trend begun in Losail, Sam Lowes, a rookie in the category, is expecting a positive weekend after a less than easy début.
ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"After the good sensations in Qatar, I can't wait to ride in Argentina. It's a track that I really like and I'm always comfortable with my riding style there. I hope to be able to get an optimal set up in race conditions, but at the same time I would like to battle for a good position in QP too."
SAM LOWES
“I am happy to be getting back on the track straight away, especially in Argentina, a circuit that I like and where I was on the podium last year. Qatar was not the début we wanted. The particular conditions certainly did not make my first race an easy one. Next weekend I want to start the right way. As a team we need to take Aleix's good results as a point of reference and continue improving.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“In the first race we received important confirmation on our pre-season development efforts. The RS-GP proved to be a well-balanced bike. It will be interesting to put it to the test on a circuit that is very different from Qatar. The characteristics of the Termas track seem to be a good fit both for the character of our bike and for Aleix's riding style. Sam, on the other hand, after "breaking the ice", needs to continue improving. The first day of practice will be a chance to figure out the track conditions. We will be continuing to work in view of the race but with particular attention on qualifying performance. We will try to improve in that situation, exploiting the new tyre as best we can to aim for a good position on the starting grid.”
FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
“We are heading to Argentina with good intentions. We are on a positive trend both in technical terms and in terms of morale after the results in Qatar. Aprilia has done a great job. We have a technical package that has demonstrated a clear step forward. We are keeping our feet on the ground, but we are also well aware of our potential. We want to confirm the progress we saw in the first race on a different track now. On paper, the Termas track could suit our project better than Qatar, but as always, we will only be able to verify that once we get out on the track.”
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Following the success of Michelin track days with Terry Rymer Racing in 2016, the team are back and offering you the chance to ride 5 legendary UK circuits at an unbeatable price of just £49 when you purchase a set of Michelin Power Cup Evo, Michelin Power Slick Evo, Michelin Power Rain or the NEW Power RS in 2017 from participating dealers.
Riders are invited to attend a track day hosted by racing hero and twice World Endurance Champion, Terry Rymer. Special guests are also due to attend with the likes of Steve Parrish, Chris Walker and Gary Mason on track at last year’s events. The day will include 120 minutes of track time along with tyre technical workshops and track day tuition from Terry himself. Refreshments are included and riders will also take home a photo and limited edition t-shirt and mug.
Michelin Power Days 2017 will begin on 26th June heading back to the ever popular Brands Hatch GP circuit and on to the historic Cadwell Park on the 17th July followed by demanding Oulton Park on 26th July and back by popular demand Knockhill Circuit in Scotland on 18th August. New for this year, Michelin Power Days will also visit Bishopscourt Circuit in Northern Ireland on 22nd August.
Following the success of Michelin’s return to MotoGP, the French tyre-giant’s sports tyre expertise has been proven at the top level, resulting in the launch of the new Power RS hypersport tyre. Developed using the new ACT+ technology in casing design, coupled with new race bred compounds derived directly from Moto GP, this tyre optimises steering force and feedback. Whether on the road, or on the occasional track day, the Power RS is extremely agile, with exceptional directional stability and impeccable handling in cornering. In recent BMW Motorad tests, the Power RS set the benchmark against all its nearest rivals.
Places are subject to availability and are certain to sell out quickly. To find your nearest participating Michelin Power Days dealer and book your place visit www.powerdays.co.uk
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Aprilia was the nicest surprise on the second day of tests in Qatar, the last ones before the Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing championship opening round, also scheduled to be held in Qatar on 26 March.
Confirming the good sensations he had yesterday when, slowed by a crash, he had shown the potential to move up in the standings, Aleix Espargarò rode his 2017 Aprilia RS-GP to fifth place in the rankings for the day with a time of 1’55.121, just 66 one hundredths behind the leader, Viñales.
This is the best result yet that the 2017 Aprilia RS-GP has achieved in testing, only on its third outing of the season. Beyond the excellent time achieved, the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Spaniard put 34 laps on the sheets, continuing development of the new bike and obtaining positive feedback throughout the long day of tests.
Sam Lowes, who tested the 2017 bike for the first time yesterday, also continued progressing, shaving more than 8 tenths off of his time from Friday and stopping the clock at 1’56.276, a performance that earned him twentieth place at the end of the day.
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