News continues to arrive from Aprilia. One day after renewing Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales for two more seasons, the Noale-based brand has announced that it will have a satellite team in MotoGP starting next season. The agreement reached with RFN Racing is valid until 2024 and contemplates the option of being renewed for another two years. The Italian firm thus takes another step forward in its career within the Motorcycle World Championship.
With this agreement, Aprilia becomes much more than just a supplier of mounts for RFN Racing. According to those responsible for both brands, the union will mean a great involvement of the Noale firm in the project, which will invest in the training of engineers, technicians, managers and pilots. Something that fits well with the development team vocation that RFN has been demonstrating. The unresolved question, at the moment, is who will fill the available seats on this new satellite team.
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Massimo RivolaCEO of Aprilia, stresses that the brand is looking for more than just results with this partnership: «I am happy to announce the agreement with RNF Racing. As we demonstrate the competitiveness of our RS-GP, a natural part of the journey is to see two more on the track. Noale’s racing department has a true heritage of knowledge, technical culture applied to high-performance motorcycles, as well as sports management. With RNF Racing we found a partner to enhance it. We think about the riders and about competitiveness, but also about train new generations of engineers, technicians and managersto continue and enhance the extraordinary Italian tradition of Aprilia Racing.”
Razlan Razali, founder and director of the RNF team, was also enthusiastic about the new project: “We are delighted with the long-term partnership with Aprilia Racing. Our philosophy remains work together with the factory team to develop drivers who will one day become official drivers. Aprilia’s proposal complies with our plans, strategies and safety for the next two years plus two and I must thank you for your trust and faith in us. At the same time, we want to express our gratitude to Yamaha for these past years of working and growing together. We will continue to work hard this season to improve our results and wrap up 2022 on a high note.”
The results have begun to arrive this season after years of hard work. Aprilia currently leads the team classification of the championship and is third in the constructors ahead of KTM, Suzuki and Honda. Aleix Espargaró is also second overall, just four points behind Fabio Quartararo. From the hand of Granollers have come the four podiums achieved by the Italian firm this season, among which is the victory in Argentina. It seems to be the right time to take a step forward and have four RS-GP bikes on the track.
Photos: aprilia-racing