Espargaro “can’t wait” for Dovizioso to test Aprilia
Aleix Espargaro says he “can’t wait” for ex-Ducati MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso to test the Aprilia in April and is certain he will offer “good feedback” about the bike.
Aprilia announced earlier this week that 15-time MotoGP race winner Dovizioso will ride the RS-GP during a three-day private test at Jerez on 12-14 April.
Dovizioso is currently on a sabbatical from MotoGP after losing his Ducati seat last season and turning down a race offer from Aprilia for 2021, as well as a role as Yamaha test rider.
It’s unclear if this test will result in Dovizioso taking on a test rider role with Aprilia, or if it will act as a springboard to a race ride for the rest of 2021.
Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
When asked for his thoughts on Dovizioso testing the Aprilia, Espargaro said: “Yes, I’m very happy because these last years we were making steps to get closer to the top bikes and Aprilia has now made an important step.
“It will be very helpful for the future, because Andrea apart from being a very talented and fast rider, I think he can be a very good test rider, sensitive.
“He did a very good job with the Ducati because the last seasons he was winning races and fighting for the title.
“So, he will be able to give us good feedback about the Aprilia and help us a lot.
“I can’t wait to try the bike in Jerez and see his reaction, to see how he likes the bike and its weak points.
“I’m six years with this bike and he’s fresh on the Aprilia, so I’m sure he will give us another point of view and he will help us a lot.”
Espargaro has previously spoken about Dovizioso being his favourite rider in MotoGP, and said during winter testing at the end of 2019 that he’d like to emulate what the Italian did in transforming Ducati’s fortunes between 2013 and 2020.
Aprilia’s test team is in disarray at present after the marque elected to place rookie Lorenzo Savadori alongside Espargaro in the race team instead of its other test rider Bradley Smith.
Though nothing has been made official, it appears as if Smith has left this role having been absent from pre-season testing in Qatar earlier this month and Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola noting at the team’s launch event that he hoped the Briton would continue with Aprilia as test rider.
Previous article
Qatar MotoGP: Morbidelli tops FP1 as Miller crashes
Next article
Qatar MotoGP: Miller leads FP2, Espargaro crashes again
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Andrea Dovizioso , Aleix Espargaro |
| Teams | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
MotoGP 2021 kicks off in Qatar
Mandalika Circuit update
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Qatar Grand Prix
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come...
Where does Espargaro sit ahead of Marquez's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice.
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon Prime series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
Why Lorenzo needs to ditch social media and enjoy retirement
OPINION: Jorge Lorenzo's status as one of the greatest MotoGP riders of all time is hard to dispute. But his constant social media spats with fellow riders and insistence on listing his achievements to his detractors are running the risk of tarnishing a legacy he worked hard to create.
