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."