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MotoGP, Albesiano: “Lowes? Aprilia is looking around for next year"

“An Italian like Petrucci? It could also be a rider from Singapore, all that counts is performance”

MotoGP: Albesiano: “Lowes? Aprilia is looking around for next year"

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Romano Albesiano covers many subjects as he speaks to us on Monday after the Catalan GP. The Aprilia MotoGP project manager is disappointed about the DNF in the race, but has faith in the performance of the RS-GP. He speaks about the present, but also about the future, underlining the fact that the Noale-based manufacturer is looking around for next year.

First, he sums up Monday's test.

“It hasn't gone badly, we've tried various components of Aleix's front fork, also focusing on the set-up and electronics, with the aim of taking a step forward. Espargarò carried out a good race simulation, but today was Monday (he jokes)”.

While with Sam?

We mainly focused on electronics, with some improvements that proved interesting”.

What happened to Aleix yesterday?

An electrical problem (he jokes), you've heard the one about the piston rod cutting the wire (he smiles)? unfortunately we had a stupid problem with the pneumatic valves that stopped us”.

There have been some small steps forward though, particularly for Lowes.

“In qualifying and the first part of the race we were able to improve, Sam especially. In the last race he took significant steps forward”.

Yet his future is uncertain.

We made significant investment with Sam for 2018 – commented Albesiano - we are the first to support him and we hope he can quickly show signs of improvement. But at the same time, we cannot allow ourselves to stand still, because we need to think about the next championship. This means we will talk to other riders”.  

Have you given Lowes a time frame?

“No, we haven't spoken about this”.

Would you consider an Italian rider on the Italian bike? Someone like Petrucci maybe?

There's a big difference between dreams and actual possibility (he smiles), what counts for me is performance, regardless of whether the rider is Italian or from Singapore”.

Has the start of 2017 brought more satisfaction or disappointment?

“I'm pleased because our aim is to improve performance and we've done that. But, at the same time, we need to mature and become solidified. This can only happen when we reduce the gap to the frontrunners in terms of performance”.

Albesiano touches on the subject of tyres, an unknown at the weekend.

“Since the first 2015 test, the bike has grown a lot in terms of grip and balance. Michelin is trying to improve constancy and stability, I think they've reached a good point”.

At which other tracks will Aprilia and the tyres struggle?

“Barcelona (he jokes). I think our bike can be competitive at every track, perhaps the Red Bull Ring”.

Where do you think Aleix could have finished on Sunday?

“I don't know, looking at the lap times during testing I think he could have run a good race, but that's me looking at it on Monday. Saturday's qualifying was definitely the best so far for Aprilia. I think we have all we need to be competitive, but it's pointless to linger on this”.

They say the Aprilia is very demanding at the rear. Is this true?

“No, generally struggle at the beginning of the race, with a full fuel tank, but already last year”.

Do you think the possibility of having satellite teams is a real one?

We've evaluated this possibility but we definitely won't have any more than two extra bikes on track next year. As you know, we are a small factory and having to supply components for four bikes has some positive aspects but also some negative ones".

Albesiano clarifies.

"Having to satisfy the needs of two bikes would allow us to focus in detail on the new components to then bring them to the track for evaluation. If you add another two, it all becomes more complicated, especially in terms of reliablity”.

Never say never though...

“Perhaps it will be easier in 2019”.

Translated by Heather Watson
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