MOTOGP, THE APRILIA TESTS AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA COME TO A CLOSE

POSITIVE RESULTS: A LOT OF INFORMATION COLLECTED BY BAUTISTA, BRADL AND DI MEGLIO ON 2016 TYRES AND ELECTRONICS

Jerez (Spain), 27 November 2015 – The MotoGP tests at Jerez came to a close, three days of hard work for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders, Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl, as well as test rider Mike Di Meglio. Preparation for the 2016 season for the Italian team is decidedly demanding given the change in both tyre supplier and the electronics while awaiting the début of the new Aprilia prototype.

The riders used the RS-GP machines, continuing their apprenticeship with the new Michelin tyres and the spec electronics package. Proof of all the work done by both mechanics and riders are the myriad laps put in, 135 for Alvaro and 140 for Stefan. Bautista also had an unlucky accident on the last day of testing that forced him to end his sessions early. This was a precautionary measure because of pain that the Spanish rider had in the left side of his neck and shoulder.

ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)

“Our tests on the new tyres and the 2016 electronics package are continuing. We still have a lot of work to do on both fronts but our sensations are good. In this phase it is essential to understand the reactions of the new package to the changes. We need to create an entirely new starting point which will give the riders a good feeling on the bike, trying to get the tyres to work as well as possible. The test schedule went according to plan, but it was a shame that Alvaro had to stop on the last day. We also had Mike Di Meglio collaborating with us on these three days as a test rider which goes hand in hand with the beefing up of the Aprilia Test Team. He is a world champion rider with a lot of experience and we’ll need that considering the hard work we have ahead.”

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)

“We finished the last tests of 2015 on a positive note. These three days were important to continue the work we had begun in Valencia, aimed above all at getting to know the Michelin tyres and the new electronics package better. We were able to take the best possible advantage of the time we had available, gathering a great deal of data with Alvaro, Stefan and test rider Mike Di Meglio who rode alongside the two team riders. Now we’ll begin the winter break but that doesn’t mean that we’ll be relaxing. During this period we’ll be working hard at home, gleaning from the experience of all the references we collected during this season in order to prepare as best as possible for the début of the 2016 prototype which will take place in the February tests.”

ALVARO BAUTISTA

“It’s a shame I wasn’t able to finish the job today. Unfortunately, after the crash this morning I was feeling pain in my neck and we decided to stop in order to avoid any complications. I was able to go out with the new electronics and I found that it was better than the last test at Valencia. Now I’ll relax after this long season so that I can come back even more pumped up for the 2016 Sepang tests.”

STEFAN BRADL

“Today we focused on the new electronics and there is really a lot to learn. This is a different kind of work than usual. It may seem boring because of the long breaks but right now that is necessary both to provide information to the engineers and to create a base for the Aprilia Test Team to work from during the winter break. We certainly weren’t concerned with lap times. The feeling still isn’t right to push hard but I’m confident that the work we did over these past days will help us in 2016. Now I’m happy to be able to take a few days of holiday and prepare for the new season as best as possible.”