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Why Aprilia can't afford to alienate its main asset
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Sep 17, 2019, 1:16 PM
Aleix Espargaro has shown continual patience at Aprilia, but the the MotoGP minnow's limited progress means it now faces losing a rider with an eye for bike development at a time when it needs it most.
We are now one month on from the shock announcement that Johann Zarco will be cutting short his tenure at KTM amid a woeful campaign on the RC16, but we are still no closer to knowing who his replacement will be for the 2020 MotoGP season.
During the Misano round, KTM boss Mike Leitner confirmed the man originally ousted to make way for Zarco - current Aprilia test rider Bradley Smith - is a serious option. Smith is "very keen" for the move, even if no official contact has allegedly been made.
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About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Aleix Espargaro |
| Teams | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
