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The three days of MotoGP testing in Sepang did not get off to the best possible start for Aprilia. The crash with double fracture suffered by Jorge Martin has certainly upset the plans of the Noale manufacturer, which, on the contrary, hoped to take advantage of this time available to give a big boost to the evolution of the bike that, as known, will be in the hands of a "rookie" pairing.
The only veteran on the RS-GP is Lorenzo Savadori who, as a result of the Spaniard's knockout, now finds himself having to face a dual role, that of test rider and reserve rider.
"Having already accumulated 60/70 laps a day last week, I'm actually a bit tired, but the break has allowed me to recover a bit, so physically I'm fine," said the Emilian.
Is he playing Martin's deputy here in Malaysia?
"I wish! Joking aside, I hope he comes back soon because we need him. In the shakedown I tested and sorted out everyone's bikes, including the satellite team's, but here I am continuing a verification work at the level of aerodynamics and electronics."
What's your idea of the new bike?
"I would say it is not completely different from the old one, since the RS-GP24 was already good, but it is still a small step forward. Now we are focusing on details and that takes time, so pure performance is being neglected."
What is it like working with Bezzecchi?
"He's a great rider and a nice guy, plus his thoughts on the bike are in line with mine and that also makes it easier for the engineers to work."
Did you get a chance to see Jorge's crash?
"Yes it was a bad and strange crash. Now the engineers will have to analyze it."
What kind of work are you facing here in Malaysia?
"Meanwhile, I'm not using my lab bike, but that of the factory riders. As I said, development is at the center of the program, as well as checking the parts we could not test during the shakedown."
Last year the bike had difficulty stopping, how is it progressing in that respect?
"We took a step forward, but not enough. Let's say we are going in the right direction. Again, the RS-GP25 is not that far from its big sister since its behavior and balance were not bad. We are just trying to strengthen in some areas, for example in terms of engine braking, and delivery and traction control. On the aerodynamic front, on the other hand, we tried different solutions for both the front and the rear, and we even lapped with the wing at the back."
KTM, Yamaha and Honda had vibration problems at the rear tire in 2024, how are things now?
"We've been working on that as well, but it's not easy to see where to intervene."
Have you noticed an improvement with the higher temperatures?
"Honestly we didn't focus on that point, for me the shakedown was general verification and that's all."
When will you return home?
"I don't know, I think at the end of this test anyway."
Improving from the first day in which there was no shortage of difficulties, Marco Bezzecchi also gave a positive reading of the learning process with the Aprilia.
"We made another couple of steps forward today. Also I am happier than yesterday because I was able to have more confidence on the bike. I started braking well, entering corners with confidence, the bike gives me good feedback. We are still trying many things, but I'm not complaining," he admitted.
Do you have more work to do without the presence of Martin, who was injured yesterday?
"Maybe a little more, but not too much. In the end, the program is testing more or less the same things. I'm trying to give the most accurate feedback as possible to the manufacturer. But today I wasn't alone, there was Savadori, who is always very good at giving us a lot of valuable information. That's a good help."
Are you still in the process of adapting your riding style to the bike?
"I still have to adapt my riding style a little bit, especially in the traction parts of the track. I've already made progress, however, I'm still working on it. I still have to figure out where to focus, which is why I'm still not fast enough."
What are the bike's strengths and weaknesses?
"Braking with the front end is very good. I am still struggling with the new tire being very responsive, but with the front there are no problems. The aerodynamics are also good. They worked very well on those areas. We need to implement the electronics and the way I use the throttle."
How did you find the engine of the RS-GP?
"The power, honestly, impressed me. The electronics need to be improved just to have more control and try to exploit it fully in delivery."
What response did you get from the tires?
"At the moment I am happy with how we are working with the used tires. Both yesterday and today I mostly used those and felt good. I'm struggling more with the new ones, also due to the different way of riding required, so as a result I'll have to work on my riding style. In my opinion we have taken a good step forward compared to last year, although I don't know the 2024 bike because at Montmeló I immediately used the first spec of the RS GP 2025."
How do you feel about the ergonomics of the bike? Is it more extreme or smooth compared to the Ducati?
"It's a little more physical. Fortunately, we don't have temperature problems, but it takes more strength to move this bike. Today I lapped at 2 p.m. and we still went well. Personally, I need the heat, because I'm still sick...."
You're the only nonrookie starter left, and you're tasked with taking the development of the bike forward. Is that something that gives you a boost or does it put pressure on you?
"In the end, things changed to a certain extent for me. I would have had a lot to do anyway. It's too bad we didn't have Jorge, because giving two comments of the same bike would have been important both for me and for Aprilia. I could have understood what he would have felt. I have Lorenzo to help me out, though. It's more of a general regret. I will have to be precise and as detailed as possible to make the technicians understand what is better and what is worse."
Did you hear from Jorge after the accident?
"Personally, no. We sent him a video yesterday, but as far as I'm concerned I don't feel like bothering him. I didn't feel like it, he was there with his dad, and he has a long trip ahead of him today. Besides, it would bother me if someone wrote me who knows what, so I preferred not to bother him. I will write to him later to find out how he is doing."
Did you see the accident? Did you get an idea of the dynamics?
"I only saw the video, but I didn't look at the data because I already had my own to think about. Definitely a strange crash, but not being on top of the bike it's hard to make a judgment and I don't feel like commenting."
Yesterday 3 injuries. So many people are complaining that you are forced to use medium tires so much here that they don't work well. Could that be a problem? Could having more softs in future testing increase the safety? So many insiders seem to be aligned on that....
"Let's say (the medium) is a tire for very high temperatures and it's right to bring it here, because where else do you bring it? But it's also true that it gives you less grip. I honestly don't know, I don't feel like saying anything about that. It's obvious that the soft works better and I would have liked one or two more too. But I think they have their reasons for bringing in the medium, and if they bring it in, you have to use it.... Then I don't really know the dynamics of the accidents. You always have to try to understand the situations well. I have been lapping a lot with the medium and the performance is not the best. But we know that so that's it."
