Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has expressed that the marque boasting a brand-new rider line-up heading into the 2025 MotoGP season is “not ideal” preparations-wise.
Aleix Espargaro will conclude his seven-year spell with Aprilia once this term concludes, while team-mate Maverick Vinales has opted to move to Tech3 GasGas KTM.
But next season Aprilia will hold a stellar pairing with current championship leader Jorge Martin arriving from Pramac and three-time MotoGP victor Marco Bezzecchi.
Rivola admits that having a revamped squad is suboptimal, but the new line-up and the respective riders’ talent give him confidence that it will be a manageable issue.
“That is the only question mark that we have because it’s not ideal to change two riders at the same time,” he said.
But with such two good talents, we are betting on the right horses. It’s not ideal but we also have a satellite team and I hope that the satellite [Trackhouse] team gives us a bit of continuity.
“Again, it’s not ideal but when you have a couple like Martin and Bezzecchi you must be happy.”
Rumours within the MotoGP paddock have touted that Espargaro will move to the factory Honda operation to work as a test rider, though that is awaiting confirmation.
When asked who will lead bike development at Aprilia from 2025, Rivola highlighted that current test rider Lorenzo Savadori’s work has been vital to the side’s success.
“To be honest we need to give credit to Lorenzo Savadori who has been our test rider for many years so far,” he said.
“This bike looks like not really competitive when he does wildcard. I’d say he is a bit of a victim of us.
“You need to have the attitude and the love for your team, your factory, your manufacturer to do what you have to do. And so far we always got in the right direction.
“For sure the help of the riding style of Maverick gave us an additional boost to the development because Aleix was already with us for a lot of years and for sure having a satellite team was also another step forward.
“Soon there will be four RS-GP 24s [with Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez also getting the latest-spec chassis], so that would be another way to step up.
“But we think that the drawing office and the test team at Noale are doing quite a great job.
“Obviously still not enough and I know that it will never be enough. But we rely and trust a lot on their job.”
