Albesiano: “Aerodynamics in MotoGP? They may impact on the spectacle”

The last MotoGP round at Jerez proved interesting, both technically and race-wise. While the sporting spotlight was firmly on the Bagnaia – Quartararo duel, the key technical theme was that of aerodynamics. An area of crucial importance in MotoGP, with ongoing improvements and changes but, as is so often the case, the coin has two sides. On the one hand, there’s the riders' point of view, that of Aleix Espargaró in this case who, in reflecting on what went on in Andalusia, remains somewhat disappointed about the time he wasted behind Marc Marquez and Jack Miller.

“It’s difficult to pass in MotoGP”, explains Aleix, “especially at a track like Jerez, where I really struggled to pass Marquez, despite having great pace. You really feel the aerodynamics we’re using right now in terms of load, and when you’re following another rider, the front tyre temperature and pressure go sky high”.

On the other hand, there’s the technical soul of the team, embodied by Aprilia Racing technical director Romano Albesiano, for whom aerodynamic development represents an exciting and stimulating challenge, and rightly so.

“I think that aerodynamic development in MotoGP is only just beginning”, confirms Albesiano, “also because we’re talking about a motion that we are still learning about. I couldn’t say whether the aerodynamics might have negative effects on the spectacle that is the race, maybe yes, in that bikes without wings and a particular aerodynamics package may be better able to follow other bikes. In the recent past, there was an attempt to remove the wings, but then someone was able to get around that and use them anyway, which then saw everyone continue along that path. From a technical standpoint, it’s a fascinating challenge, but probably less so when it comes to the show”.

Albesiano: "The next goal is to optimise every aspect of the bike"

Romano continues, expanding on the concept of “there’s no stopping” when it comes to technical developement.

“Development in MotoGP never stops, despite the many rules regulating our field of action. In recent years, development has definitely focused on the aerodynamics. After all, making up one tenth of a second can make a real difference, in both qualifying and the race. So our next mission is to optimise everything, particularly the transmission, where we’ll be trying something already during the next race. I think this is the final gap to close with respect to our rivals.”

Of course, technical development goes hand in hand with the growth of the riders, and their symbiosis with the bike. Albesiano looks ahead here too, setting new goals in terms of Espargaró and Vinales’ growth path.

“Telling a rider where he can improve is always difficult. As for Aleix, I think we can grow in terms of braking, seeing that our rivals are sometimes stronger, but it’s an improvement to be made together. The same goes for Maverick, who we need to help make more effective - he’s already shown to be quick, but we need to be consistent also when conditions are less than perfect, when there’s less grip for example.”

Translated by Heather Watson

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