        Aerodynamics is a frontier that MotoGP continues to explore as it tirelessly pursues performance, and this time it is Aprilia that has taken everyone by surprise, introducing a new large rear wing. Aprilia at the cutting edge   The Noale manufacturer, that has proved to be the real revelation during this first part of the 2022 season, has not only introduced a new engine specification during the opening practice session of the Italian GP&hellip; Test rider Lorenzo Savadori, who is competing at Mugello as a wildcard, has also been riding with a large rear winglet, positioned above the tailpiece in &ldquo;F1-style&rdquo;, a new feature that may well be used by Aleix Espargar&oacute; and Maverick Vi&ntilde;ales in subsequent sessions. Experimentation that, according to Romano Albesiano and Massimo Rivola, has one precise goal &ndash; to generate greater rear load and prevent any wheel lift during the hard braking or through sections such as the fast downhill to the end of the start/finish straight, an increasingly critical point due to the speeds that a MotoGP bike now reaches, in excess of 350 Km/h. A trick that aims to improve the balance of the bike and that, if it produces the desired results, may also prove useful at other fast tracks.  The MotoGP precedent  Exploiting the rear of the bike aerodynamically is something that other manufacturers have tried in the past &ndash; in 2018 at Jerez for example, Ducati tested a &ldquo;duck's beak&rdquo; tailpiece that was subsequently shelved after the riders said it didn&rsquo;t bring the desired benefits. The video   I spy some new aero! @lorysava32 has an interesting winglet on the tail unit of his RS-GP! #MotoGP | #ItalianGP  pic.twitter.com/6dHuV5Ak0V &mdash; MotoGP&trade; (@MotoGP) May 27, 2022    Translated by Heather Watson Italian GP, Aprilia and RNF Racing: the satellite team deal is done       

The new aerodynamic device was used by Lorenzo Savadori during the first MotoGP practice at the Tuscan track

GP Mugello: Aprilia surprises everyone and introduces the big F1-style winglet

        There are not two but three Aprilias in action at the Portugal MotoGP, with Lorenzo Savadori flanking factory riders Aleix Espargar&oacute; and Maverick Vinales. Aside from competing as a wildcard, what exactly is the Italian test rider doing at Portim&atilde;o? Exactly what his job title might suggest, considering that he is the test rider for the Noale manufacturer, a brand that is doing well in the reigning class. And the number 32 rider is doing equally well, because he knows just how to be fast when required, providing the technicians in the garage with useful feedback. The RS-GP is equipped with a new "device", or rather the rear lowering device, as hotly debated as it is complicated to perfect. As for the Italian four-cylinder, the system has been improved in its dynamic usage, when rider and vehicle are in motion. New engine for the Aprilia MotoGP: a step expected at Mugello  Beneath the fairings of Savadori&rsquo;s "black beast" is a revised electronic management system. Infinite refinements can be made in this area, and what better place to get them working than an official MotoGP race weekend? This is why Lorenzo is working hard to develop every part. Speaking of parts, the "new" engine will arrive in time for Mugello. At the Italian GP, the RS-GP bikes will be equipped with an engine that will benefit from a first important evolution. As well as seeking more horsepower, the racing department is also focusing on exploitability. Of increasing use to the wrist of the person riding the bike. Translated by Heather Watson Moto3, three bikes for team Aspar at the Portugal GP: here&rsquo;s who will ride them       

Lorenzo is using an RS-GP complete with revised dynamic rear lowering device, new electronic management features and other updates. An engine evolution is expected at Mugello

Three Aprilias at the Portgual GP: Savadori brings updates to the track

        As Aprilia unveiled the new colour scheme of the 2022 RS-GP with which Aleix Espargar&oacute; and Maverick Vi&ntilde;ales will race in MotoGP, test rider Lorenzo Savadori revealed his plans for the year, the Italian set to take part in five races as a wildcard entry in addition to continuing with the bike development work. &ldquo;I am a rider/tester, in that I&rsquo;ll have a dual role with Aprilia again this year&rdquo;, comments number 32. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll continue to develop the RS-GP, which now needs very little more to become a winning bike, seeing as it&rsquo;s already very competitive, but I&rsquo;ll also do some racing, competing in five rounds with a third factory bike alongside Aleix and Maverick&rdquo;. Savadori: &ldquo;I received real support even during the tough times&rdquo;  &ldquo;I&rsquo;m pleased, because I feel I&rsquo;ve grown with the bike over the last two years and, despite the high level of MotoGP, Aprilia can do big things&rdquo;, continues Lorenzo. &ldquo;Although 2021 wasn&rsquo;t an easy year for me, I&rsquo;ve always received real support, from Aprilia but especially from the fans. I know I&rsquo;m an aggressive rider on track, but the RS-GP marries well with my style and this year we&rsquo;ll try to improve further&rdquo;. Lastly, a word about Espargar&oacute; and Vi&ntilde;ales: &ldquo;To me, Aleix is like the team captain because he&rsquo;s raced with Aprilia for many years and is a point of reference for us all. Maverick still needs to adapt perfectly to the bike but he&rsquo;s very talented and has won a great deal during his career. I can&rsquo;t wait to share the track with them&rdquo;. Translated by Heather Watson Another motorcycle tragedy: young Thannaphet Kusuwan loses his life       

During the presentation of the 2022 RS-GP, Lorenzo has talked about what the new season will bring: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll continue to develop the bike, which needs very little more in order to be a winner, but I&rsquo;ll also do some racing&rdquo;

MotoGP, Savadori: “I won’t just be a test rider”

        Lorenzo Savadori has undergone thorough medical check-ups at the Silverstone Medical Centre, where the staff have now given him the all clear. This means that the Italian will be present and correct for the British GP, an important round for both him and Aprilia. The Styria race came to a premature end for him, the rider then unable to take part in the second Austrian round, but number 32 will be back aboard his RS-GP this weekend, competing for the Gresini team, the only outfit to collaborate with the Noale manufacturer at present. The current Italian CIV Superbike champion wants to do as well as possible ahead of Maverick Vinales&rsquo; imminent arrival. The Spaniard has split with Yamaha but is now ready to make his debut on the Italian four-cylinder. And to keep his share price high, Savadori is keen to score a strong result. Translated by Heather Watson MotoGP, Petrucci: &ldquo;No valid SBK offer, I'll do the Dakar&rdquo;       

Following an ankle injury sustained at Austria, an operation and one missed race, Lorenzo is back on the RS-GP for the Silverstone round

British MotoGP: Savadori ready and able

        Following the presentation of its 2021 team, Aprilia now prepares for the Losail season-opener on 28 March. There are high hopes for the new bike, the 2021 RS-GP, which is expected to put on a more convincing performance after a disappointing 2020 (also due to difficulties relating to the Covid pandemic). Aprilia 2021 RS-GP: wind in your face   The bike with which Lorenzo Savadori and Pol Espargar&oacute; will take to the track benefits from various aerodynamic updates compared to the previous version used last season, with greater emphasis on those technical concepts that see the front section of the Noale GP bike resembling that of F1 cars. The most obvious element are the new winged profiles that "soften", offering more of a &lsquo;seagull wing&rsquo; design compared to last year&rsquo;s sharper profiles. And this allows for an increase in surface area without increasing lateral bulk. The central air vents should be more efficient when it comes to &lsquo;catching&rsquo; the air in a zone where flow is not yet disturbed by the shape of the wings. The fairing in the pan zone is now more rounded and appears more protective for the rider overall. &nbsp; Carbon swingarm  One section that doesn&rsquo;t appear to present any major new features is the rear end, which largely retains the shapes of the 2020 RS-GP, while the front disc cover does change, now more enveloping to better conduct flow to the radiator. Chassis updates include a new carbon fibre rear swingarm (with new lower spoiler). Modifications made to the inside of the RS-GP are shrouded in secrecy for now, but we can see a different rear exhaust, which is straighter, and a lower exhaust that is shorter than that of the 2020 RS-GP.  In general, in looking at these first images, we see an attempt to add load to the front of the bike, to obtain greater directional precision and greater braking stability. The engine remains an unknown and was a weak point of the 2020 bike. Only the track will be able to answer this question and confirm whether or not Albesiano and his team have been able to find the horsepower needed to keep pace with the competition. Translated by Heather Watson MotoGP: Aprilia Racing opens 2021 with Espargaro and Savadori       

An even more advanced package for the bike that will debut at Losail. The more extreme front section stands out, once again drawing inspiration from F1 design

MotoGP, Aprilia: how the 2021 RS-GP differs

        Tomorrow will see riders return to the track for pre-season testing but today, attention focused on the presentation of the Aprilia Racing team, as it prepares for the 2021 season with riders Aleix Espargar&oacute; and Lorenzo Savadori. Like last year, the Losail circuit again served as the setting for the Aprilia unveiling. Fausto in our hearts  The Aprilia Racing team presentation began with some video clips dedicated to the career of Team Principal Fausto Gresini, following his recent death. And the new 2021 RS-GP bike will also bear some reminders of the Italian manager, its full black livery with red accents featuring the name &lsquo;Fausto&rsquo; on its front wings (compete with red heart inside the letter &lsquo;o&rsquo;), as well as the name &lsquo;Gresini&rsquo; on the top fairing. &ldquo;We still need to grow&rdquo;  During the presentation, an understandably subdued affair, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola had this to say: &ldquo;Fausto was always with us on this project and this makes us even prouder. 2020 was a season in which we laid down the foundations with which to improve in many areas, and we worked hard, day and night. Fausto was proud of our development. So now we need to do a great job. We&rsquo;ve taken many steps forward, particularly in terms of the aerodynamics, and now we need to consolidate and further improve our performance. The bike that will race this season is constructed around the base of the 2020 version but will have many different new characteristics&rdquo;. The Aprilia CEO then spoke of Lorenzo Savadori, who will take to the track this year alongside reconfirmed Aleix Espargar&oacute;: &ldquo;We finished well with Lorenzo last year and we think he has what it takes to do well&rdquo;. In the words of the riders  The two Aprilia riders then took to the stage: &ldquo;This will be my fifth season with Aprilia - commented Spaniard Espargar&oacute; - I think we&rsquo;ve already taken many steps forward to improve and get closer to our goal in 2021&rdquo;. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m pleased to be here - adds Italian Savadori - and I want to thank Aprilia for this opportunity. I&rsquo;ve worked hard to be here and want to show Fausto that I can do a good job. I&rsquo;ll try to do my best for him&rdquo;. &nbsp; Translated by Heather Watson MotoGP: when Marco Melandri first met Fausto Gresini       

This afternoon&rsquo;s presentation was dedicated to the memory of Fausto Gresini. The new RS-GP bore two stickers dedicated to the Italian. Rivola: &ldquo;We need to do a great job for him&rdquo;