Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales achieved Aprilia’s first-ever one-two finish in the premier class during the Catalunya Grand Prix. Espargaró won both the Sprint Race on Saturday and the main race on Sunday, with his teammate Viñales finishing in second place. Romano Albesiano, Aprilia’s technical director, spoke about the team’s dominance in Catalunya and the current state of the brand.
Albesiano explained that both Espargaró and Viñales had an excellent race. While Viñales had slightly more worn-out tires, Espargaró’s years of experience with the bike made the difference. Albesiano is optimistic about Viñales’ future, stating that he will achieve even greater heights.
According to Albesiano, Aprilia’s bike is competitive in almost all scenarios. He believes that the bike’s performance is more related to the rider than the bike itself. In some circuits, Espargaró performs exceptionally well, while in others, Viñales shines, especially in stop-and-go tracks with strong braking zones.
Albesiano also commented on the poor performance of Japanese brands like Honda and Yamaha, stating that their methodical and risk-averse approach might be better suited for production bikes rather than racing. He supports giving concessions to Japanese brands to help them improve, stating that it’s only fair since they did the same for European brands when they were struggling.
As for the potential of MotoGP champions like Marc Márquez and Fabio Quartararo joining Aprilia, Albesiano said it’s not in their short-term plans. He praised his current riders, Espargaró and Viñales, for their fantastic performances and potential for growth.
In summary, Aprilia’s recent success in the Catalunya Grand Prix marks a significant milestone for the team. With strong performances from both Espargaró and Viñales, the team is optimistic about the future. While they acknowledge the challenges faced by other brands, particularly the Japanese ones, their focus remains on their own growth and success in the MotoGP championship.