Aprilia is making a comeback to the premier class grid this year as the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini outfit. The move takes place one year ahead of the date initially planned for a full-factory return, and is motivated by the need to develop the current bike and refine the basis the new machine will be built upon.
The house of Noale teamed up with the team of Fausto Gresini after he was unable to retain the satellite Honda bike he raced for a long time. With some of his sponsors pulling out of MotoGP and the price of running the factory Honda always on the rise, he had to let the bike go, in favor of Marc VDS who has stepped up into the premier class this year with Scott Redding.
A year of testing
Still without a full-factory bike, Aprilia preferred to use the existing one and try to make the most of it while working on the new machine which is said to hit the track in 2016. Aprilia Racing boss Romano Albesiano admits that this solution is the most risky, but also the quickest way to test new technologies and acquire as much racing data as possible for the new bike project. He says that 2015 will definitely be a year of testing and the former ART bike and the SBK technology will shake hands for building the new MotoGP prototype.
Aprilia has Marco Melandri and Avaro Bautista as the two contracted riders who dared to accept this challenge and deal with a year of testing and development. So far the testing results have been rather modest, especially for Melandri, but considering the greater good, things seem like well worth a try.
Alvaro Bautista:
“I like this new challenge. It gives me new stimulation and great motivation. We are well aware that we have a lot of work to do and we are also aware that this will be a season marked by development, so we aren't setting any goals for ourselves except to improve race by race, working hard. I was very pleased with the first two test sessions in Malaysia. It was nice to see a lot of people working hard to improve and listening to my requests. All of our mechanics are top notch and they all have a drive that makes for an excellent atmosphere in the garage."
Marco Melandri:
“Following Aprilia in its ambitious return to MotoGP is a brave choice, especially after the decision to move the plans up. I am very motivated. I am confident and I know what this racing department is capable of, although that doesn't change the difficulties that we will inevitably have to face. There are also some advantages, like being able to “tailor” myself to a bike, something that I have never been able to do until now in my career, helping the guys in the development process and giving them my indications. For now it is just a matter of acquiring a feeling with the bike-tyre package, much different than the one I used last year. We have a long road ahead of us, but I believe that with patience and determination we'll be able to achieve a good level, realistically in the second half of the season.”
Troy Bayliss confirmed for the second WSBK round, rides the Panigale in Thailand
Here comes the official confirmation from Ducati, in the shape of a press release telling about Troy Bayliss return to the track for the second round of the 2015 World Superbike championship. The three-time WSBK champion Australian is substituting for injured Aruba Racing Ducati rider Davide Giugliano and has already earned three points in the debut round at Phillip Island.
The Chang circuit where the Thai round of the 2015 WSBK will be held is a completely new experience for the entire grid, as this is the first time a Superbike series event is organized there. With the circuit hiding the same “traps” for all the riders, the racing experience may play a very important role in the outcome of the two races in the 20-22 March weekend.
Will Bayliss’ huge expertise be his strong card in the Chang races? We’ll find out in two weeks’ time.
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