After a March 20 press conference held in Noale, Italy, to announce the company’s racing plans for 2001, Aprilia President Ivano Beggio confirmed that the company is working on a four-stroke Grand Prix racebike. Beggio also said that the firm plans to be competitive right away when rule changes allowing 990cc four-strokes become effective in 2002.

According to an Aprilia press release on the team launch, Beggio said “This is the first time that we have organized a GP launch at home.It is a confirmation of the strength of the commitment of Aprilia and the Racing Division that hosted the press conference today. We have made massive investments this year, not only because we have always believed in racing and because Aprilia was born for racing, but also because the success of our company derives from the image obtained at circuits throughout the world. For sure racing is the most exciting way of transmitting our passion for motorcycling. The investments made in the 500 GP class have been doubled for the four-stroke GP1 project. It is our desire to be immediately competitive when the other major constructors accept the four-stroke GP challenge.”

Aprilia is fielding Marco Melandri, Tetsuya Harada and Klaus Noehles in the 2001 250cc World Championship. Aprilia test rider Marcello Lucchi, 44, may contest a few rounds of the 250cc World Championship series as well.