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April 3, 2022 will forever remain a historic date for Aprilia, that of its first MotoGP victory. The circuit was that of Termas de Rio Hondo, the same one where they will race this weekend. Just under a year ago, Aleix Espargarò rode the RS-GP to success and climbed to 1st place in the championship. That was the moment in which the men from Noale found themselves among the greats of the world championship, reviving the glories of the past.
Last season represented a turning point for the Noale-based company. Aleix Espargarò didn't just win a race, but he got on the podium 6 times, conquered 2 pole positions and fought for 3rd position in the championship until the last race. An unexpected result, because Aprilia had struggled since its return to MotoGP in 2015 (we don't count the experience with the ART brand at the time of the CRT).
At a certain point, Romano Albesiano had also had to double up between his role as technical director and that of team manager, which made the situation even more difficult. The arrival of Massimo Rivola in 2019 was the key to the change, but the problems weren't over. Iannone's disqualification left the Noale-based company without a rider, forced to make do by calling test riders Bradley Smith first and then Lorenzo Savadori back to the track.
However, things were changing. Albesiano was free to concentrate on the technical side and the arrival of new technicians (also from Formula 1) was beginning to give the RS-GP a new shape. The word is not chosen at random, because like those of Ducati, the Noale engineers also worked hard on aerodynamics, introducing innovations that were later copied by others (the 'step' fairing, the wing on the tail, but also the first front lowering device).
The arrival of Vinales in mid-2021 was a stroke of luck, just when the RS-GP took the podium for the first time (at Silverstone). The following year, as mentioned, was the turning point. Many podiums (in addition to those of Aleix, also 3 of Maverick) which led to the loss of concessions.
However, not everything went smoothly, because in the last few races (from Japan onwards) it seemed that the Veneto bike was undergoing an involution, ending the year in the worst possible way.
There was some doubt for 2023, because the loss of concessions means frozen engines but above all fewer tests, then the decision to have a satellite team requires a greater commitment and a different organization. Once again, however, they seem to have done their homework in Noale.
That's what the winter tests and the first Portimao race said. Aerodynamic development hasn't stopped (with wings also on the fork and swingarm and brand new air intakes on the front fairing), the engine has built up some muscle, the chassis is undeniable, but above all the RS-GP has become an 'easy' bike.
Espargarò's performance had to be taken with a pinch of salt because the Spaniard knows the bike inside out, but it took Vinales time to make the most of it. Oliveira, on the other hand, after just a handful of days of testing in Portugal was already among the front runners. Too much enthusiasm took away the podium in the sprint race, then on Sunday he was among the first when he was hit by Marquez. In any case, Maverick was responsible for putting the RS-GP on the podium, while it was a not too happy weekend for Aleix.
So now Aprilia is to all intents and purposes the second force in the championship, behind Ducati which dominated the first race with Bagnaia. A good start is half the job done, but the difficult part comes now. Right from Argentina which brings to mind sweet memories and which is an important testing ground. No tests, you go out on track and have to do everything well and quickly. The next few days will tell us if the base is good, but in the meantime Aprilia can continue to dream.
