RiderTua.com – Aprilia has relied heavily on aerodynamics for the RS-GP24, but the abundance of new aero parts has also changed the balance and riding style required for the bike. While Aleix Espargaro quickly got to grips with the extra downforce and resulting weight, teammate Maverick Vinales and the Trackhouse team’s Miguel Oliveira took longer to adapt.
However, at the end of the MotoGP test in Qatar, Vinales and Espargaro entered the top 6 and Oliveira showed his best day in the pre-season test in 12th position (+0.884 seconds). Both look more comfortable on the standard rear aero, compared to the new diffuser style design.
Aprilia Boss: New Aerodynamics Change Riding Style
Aprilia team manager Paolo Bonora explained, “We tested a lot of things in all areas, but especially in the aerodynamics we tested a lot. And we worked on the chassis and electronics to adapt the new aerodynamic package. At the end of this test we fixed some of the weaknesses we had after Sepang test.”
“We defined the first set-up for Aleix and Maverick, we also defined in a better way how to use the new bike. Because the new aerodynamics change the riding style and it is necessary to adapt to the new set-up,” added the Italian boss.
Engine development for 2024 seems to be minimized by Aprilia. This is good news at least for Oliveira’s teammate Raul Fernandez who rides a 2023 spec bike, which will be upgraded to 2024 parts later this year.
However, Aprilia, Ducati and KTM riders cannot change engine designs throughout the season.
