Photo: Aprilia
Aprilia might be a little late with the development of the new GP motorcycle. The house of Noale is rumored to plan to skip the pre-season tests at Sepang and Phillip Island.
If we are to believe sources close to the house of Noale, Aprilia currently has no bike for Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl to test. So far, the Italian manufacturer tested the new electronics that will be used in the 2016 rendition of the RS-GP at Valencia, with Bautista crashing twice and being rather reserved as to how the machine performs.
According to the same source, Bautista and Bradl said they were worried about the new Michelin tires, the new electronics and the bike itself, which they haven't gotten to even see until now.
Bradl added that the entire electronic package for 2016 needed thorough improvements in almost all areas. "On acceleration the traction control is not good enough and with the engine brake you cannot really trust it. I couldn't find confidence," he said.
The Losail test is said to take place early in March, just ahead of the final official test. This means that Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl will only have two rounds of tests to put the 2016 Aprilia RS-GP through its paces and try to make ends meet.
Mike Di Meglio might also get to see the new bike and take it for a spin before the contracted riders can do so, making sure that at least everything is in place. As to how the team and the two factory pilots will be able to put together the new tires, new electronics, and the whole new bike, this is a thing only time (and the Qatar test) will tell.
According to the same source, Bautista and Bradl said they were worried about the new Michelin tires, the new electronics and the bike itself, which they haven't gotten to even see until now.
Bradl added that the entire electronic package for 2016 needed thorough improvements in almost all areas. "On acceleration the traction control is not good enough and with the engine brake you cannot really trust it. I couldn't find confidence," he said.
No official tests at Sepang and Phillip Island, replaced with a private one in Qatar
Aprilia is, therefore, likely to miss the Sepang test and the Australian one at Phillip Island, opting in favor of a private one at the Losail circuit in Qatar. Not only that Qatar is much closer to Italy than Australia or Malaysia but Aprilia can also benefit from the lack of disturbing factors that are usually associated with official tests.The Losail test is said to take place early in March, just ahead of the final official test. This means that Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl will only have two rounds of tests to put the 2016 Aprilia RS-GP through its paces and try to make ends meet.
Mike Di Meglio might also get to see the new bike and take it for a spin before the contracted riders can do so, making sure that at least everything is in place. As to how the team and the two factory pilots will be able to put together the new tires, new electronics, and the whole new bike, this is a thing only time (and the Qatar test) will tell.
Google News