English
Italiano
Interview by Tiziano Niero
Massimo Rivola could not be missing for the presentation of the Trackhouse team in Hollywood. The CEO of Aprilia Racing worked hard to reach the agreement with the American team after RNF's departure and is ready to reap the rewards. “For us it is an excellent opportunity, both in terms of marketing and performance, given that the medium-long term objective is to have all official bikes – said the Italian manager - I hope there will be a second race in the North America, I don't know when, but I would say in a couple of years, I would like to return to Laguna Seca, but I don't think it is any longer suited to the performance of the current MotoGP bikes. It's definitely an opportunity worth seizing, this team comes from NASCAR, so it already has the right mentality. I found myself very aligned with Justin Marks.”
How much will Trackhouse be a sort of second official team for Aprilia?
“The problem is more of time. They wanted both official bikes immediately, but it wasn't physically possible. Already this year we will give it a lot of support and it will increasingly become an official team."
Oliveira will be the lead rider, what do you expect from him?
“I expect Miguel to be strong. Let's remember that last year in Portimao he was ahead of everyone at the first corner, then it went the way it did. It was a very unlucky season, I hope that fate has already taken its toll on him and I expect a very good year from him."
It's impossible not to start thinking about the market, there has been talk of a future for Bastianini in Aprilia for some time.
“I think everyone knows that Enea is one of those riders that I like. Carlo Pernat, his manager, knows well that it is also thanks to me that he achieved certain results in the negotiations with Ducati. An Italian rider would certainly be useful to us, whether it will be Enea or another it is too early to say. Maybe we will reconfirm our two riders, even if we saw in the Eco Race that winning with Italian bikes and riders offers a great sounding board. Having said that, I am very happy with the 2, or rather 4, riders we have. The first three months will be really wild for the rider market, but we will face it in a very calm way."
What do you expect from this 2024, after a 2023 in decline?
“In 2022 yes, but not in 2023, for example Vinales took pole position in Valencia. I would say that I am moderately optimistic, with the understanding that, against the Japanese manufacturers with concessions, KTM that is pushing hard and above all Ducati that has a sensational advantage both numerically and in terms of results, it will be very interesting."
Will the exchange of data with Trackhouse riders make a difference?
“In terms of performance, I think we will take a step forward.”
