APRILIA TAKES ON MOTEGI IN JAPAN, THE FIRST OF THE THREE INTERCONTINENTAL RACES

The Motegi track in Japan will host the first of the three consecutive intercontinental MotoGP rounds. It will be followed by Phillip Island in Australia and then the Malaysian asphalt at Sepang will finish out the thrilling and demanding “triple-header”. The Japanese track proved to be ideal terrain for the Aprilia RS-GP in 2017, with Aleix Espargaró consistently in the top 5 throughout the practice sessions and seventh when the chequered flag came out.

Scott Redding, who barely missed the points zone in Thailand, is eager to begin his Japanese weekend on the wave of good feelings he had during the last race.

ALEIX ESPARGARO’

“I love everything about Japan: the country, the fans, the food and the Motegi track too. I have always been competitive on this track. It is a layout where the braking sections count for a lot and both the RS-GP and I are strong precisely in braking.”

SCOTT REDDING

“I want to start here at Motegi with the same feeling I had in the Thailand race. We will find different conditions – lower temperatures – and that should give us a hand. Given the results of the last race, the goal is to start a few positions farther forward in order to be able to battle in the points zone more easily.”