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The empty saddle in the Aprilia camp is a rather prestigious one, but it would seem that finding a rider to fill it is no easy thing. The main problem - it you can call it that - is that most of the riders signed two-year contracts last season, so there are not too many available alternatives.
An interesting choice could have been Crutchlow, but the Brit has decided to stay loyal to Honda for another two years. In Noale, therefore, attention has shifted to Petrucci, an Italian rider, press-friendly and on an upward growth trend - the perfect rider for the Venetian manufacturer.
Danilo himself confirmed that there has been contact. “My manager - Alberto Vergani - told me that he is talking to Aprilia and Ducati, but for now I want to stay focused on the next two races and I don't even know what offers are on the table.”
For the Italian, technical assurances are the main factor that will influence his decision. With Pramac, he has a factory bike on the same level as Lorenzo and Dovizioso and a fully respectable team, although fewer in number than the factory teams.
He is also in a very familiar environment that believes in him and Danilo has already shown how much this aspect counts for him in the past. The cost is that he sometimes finds himself as the “Guinea pig” to test new solutions, but that goes with the territory.
On the other hand, Aprilia can offer him a more substantial financial package, according to rumours even double compared with Ducati. “But the money does not count at all for the choice. That will come when I start winning” Petrucci emphasized.
In Noale, however, he would be a full fledged factory rider, making development decisions and enjoying the image that goes with that.
It is not an easy choice and Aprilia, in any case, has a plan B ready. In fact, they have contacted their ex-rider, Alvaro Bautista who, however, has said that “Renewing with Aspar takes priority.”
The Spaniard logically did not take it well when he was shown the door and his ride was given to Same Lowes, so he is not going to be willing to return to Aprilia without a fight. However, Alvaro is still the best alternative to Petrucci and time is growing short. In Germany, Danilo will probably decide for his future.
