Photo: motogp.com
As we reported earlier, Aprilia Racing and its star ex-rider Max Biaggi have spent three days at the MotoGP circuit in Mugello, Italy for an extensive and grueling test of their prototype. However, this is not the machine Aprilia intends to field when it will return to the premier class grid in the future.
The Aprilia Biaggi rode in Mugello is a sort of a “lab bike,“ and his extensive riding these days was not meant to return an outright lap time, but to gather as much data as possible. The machine is pretty similar to that being currently used in the MotoGP championship and serves as a comprehensive platform for gathering data on numerous parameters.
Max Biaggi has put in a massive number of 176 laps during the three-day stay in Mugello, and his best time was 1’50.940. If we are to compare it with the best time around the Mugello asphalt, things may look a bit dismal, but again, Aprilia is only gathering sensor and rider data. The fastest lap around the Mugello track belongs to Dani Pedrosa, who went past the finish line in 1’47.157 back in 2013.
Aprilia Racing boss Romano Albesiano motivates choosing Max Biaggi as to man the MotoGP test bike these days: "Max’s pace was very good and we have gathered valuable data. There is little more to add than what has been said already this week. We decided to try Biaggi because we knew we would get important information from his experience, so from this point of view, the test went as planned.”
Biaggi was greeted in the Mugello paddocks by members of his former World Superbike crew, led by Aligi Deganello, with whom he has won the last WSBK world title. “Having Aligi and all the mechanics in the box made me feel like I hadn’t stopped racing at all,” Biaggi added quite amused.
However, it is yet unclear whether the Corsair will become the official test rider for Aprilia. Biaggi does not reject the possibility, but says that before making any decision in this business he definitely has to see a very well-thought and detailed plan, alongside genuine ambition to bring the house of Noale among the top teams on the MotoGP grid.
Will Aprilia manage to make a “blast from the past” return as a full factory team? Only time could tell.
Max Biaggi has put in a massive number of 176 laps during the three-day stay in Mugello, and his best time was 1’50.940. If we are to compare it with the best time around the Mugello asphalt, things may look a bit dismal, but again, Aprilia is only gathering sensor and rider data. The fastest lap around the Mugello track belongs to Dani Pedrosa, who went past the finish line in 1’47.157 back in 2013.
Aprilia Racing boss Romano Albesiano motivates choosing Max Biaggi as to man the MotoGP test bike these days: "Max’s pace was very good and we have gathered valuable data. There is little more to add than what has been said already this week. We decided to try Biaggi because we knew we would get important information from his experience, so from this point of view, the test went as planned.”
Biaggi was greeted in the Mugello paddocks by members of his former World Superbike crew, led by Aligi Deganello, with whom he has won the last WSBK world title. “Having Aligi and all the mechanics in the box made me feel like I hadn’t stopped racing at all,” Biaggi added quite amused.
However, it is yet unclear whether the Corsair will become the official test rider for Aprilia. Biaggi does not reject the possibility, but says that before making any decision in this business he definitely has to see a very well-thought and detailed plan, alongside genuine ambition to bring the house of Noale among the top teams on the MotoGP grid.
Will Aprilia manage to make a “blast from the past” return as a full factory team? Only time could tell.
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