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First stop in Japan for the long MotoGP tour: Aprilia at Motegi to confirm the positive trend

12 October 2016

The first stop on the longest and most exciting tour of the 2016 MotoGP calendar is the Motegi Twin Ring, the Japanese circuit that has hosted the premier world motorcycle racing category since 1999.

For Aprilia, the goal is to confirm the excellent progress demonstrated in the latest European races. The RS-GP’s growth has allowed Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl to shine in qualifying, twice going through to Q2 and consistently finishing in the top 10. This is encouraging performance that the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini is keen to confirm during this triple-header on three circuits with very different characteristics from one another.

ROMANO ALBESIANO – APRILIA RACING MANAGER

“Motegi is a track where the bike’s acceleration and braking qualities are particularly important, two of the RS-GP’s positive characteristics. For the same reasons, it is a track characterized by high fuel consumption and a lot of stress on the braking systems. We will have a few solutions to improve brake calliper cooling and some strategies that are particularly attentive to consumption for the race. We have also taken a small step forward to improve engine performance. We will try to build on the improvements shown in recent races and our goal is still the top ten”.

FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER

“In the recent European rounds, both of our riders demonstrated excellent performance in the race, maintaining a good pace and significantly reducing the gap behind the leaders. This performance is a huge confidence booster for us in view of this long and important tour that includes three GP races in as many weeks on circuits with very different characteristics. Already this week in Japan we will be able to confirm the progress we have made, thanks to the new technical developments Aprilia has prepared. We are on a clear growth trend, which always makes it a pleasure to get onto the track”.

ALVARO BAUTISTA

“Motegi is a special track with a lot of braking sections where I have always done well, even finishing on the podium. The results of the recent races have charged us up and motivated us for Japan, ready to battle for the top 10. Stability, both in braking and in acceleration, is the characteristic we will need to work the most on this weekend”.

STEFAN BRADL

“These will be three intense weeks, but I am optimistic about the three races. Especially Motegi suits my riding style well, so I think I will be able to aim for a good result, continuing our trend of improvement. It will be important to exploit my characteristics and those of my RS-GP as much as possible. The top 10 remains our primary goal. It would be nice to start off straight away with a nice race in order to get this tour off on the right foot”.