Mugello Magic: 46 Number Retired, Italian Fans Ready For Track Action & Aprilia Resigns Aleix Espargaro + Maverick Vinales Until 2024
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Mugello Magic: 46 Number Retired, Italian Fans Ready For Track Action & Aprilia Resigns Aleix Espargaro + Maverick Vinales Until 2024

By FORMULAMotoGPMag - 28 May 2022

Author: Myanna Wedes

This week we are at Mugello and what a beautiful circuit and place it is to ride motorcycles around at high speeds. The Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley will see the number 46 retired officially and become history, the number that Valentino Rossi utilised for his career and etched in history. An event like this one is a home race for so many and it becomes one you want to win because of the honour rights that come with it and to showcase to Italian fans, why you are at the peak of the sport, the pinnacle and the highest ranking in two-wheel motorsport racing. The main priority for this weekend is starting off strong and ensuring every practice session brings about a positive feeling with the bike. You must push to the limit, and we know in sectors two and three that Fabio Quartararo will be fast! In contrast, the pressure will be mountain for leading Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro. Not only is he hunting for his first ever MotoGP World Championship and performing, it is also a very important home event for the factory team. Both this race in Italy and the following in Barcelona have fifty points up for grabs which is significant and the honour of being on the podium would be driving the Spanish rider to succeed.

Now that the news has broken with both Aprilia riders resigning for an additional two years, their focus can shift to performance and results not inking paper with a signature like others will be working on around the clock. Aprilia are a dominant force and proving why hard work can lead to success even when doubt was evident across the teams faces in the previous seasons. Vinales will be happy that he has been provided with a lifeline with a contract extension to prove his ability to excel with the Aprilia machine. Top Gun Mav needs to step up to the plate and adapt. It is now or never. This year will be Vinales’s opportunity to fight for the top spots in the future and understand what kind of rider he wants to be moving forward. The testing continues with the Aprilia factory, this weekend utilising a new engine, some new aerodynamic items including a t-shape winglet on the back which is very intriguing. The goal to these new aero packages is to go faster, find some tenths and compete at the front with the likes of Ducati and Yamaha plus Suzuki/Honda when they are on form and up to the task of managing their race pace without frustrations creeping into their mindsets.

Alex Rins and Joan Mir are still figuring out where they will be in 2023. With the Aprilia seat sealed, Marc Marquez, Franco Morbidelli, Pecco Bagnaia and Brad Binder sorted, the silly season of contracts has really started creeping into the headlines! What we do know is that we will be seeing two satellite Aprilia’s on the grid as WithU Yamaha RNG have announced they are switching manufactures and leaving behind Yamaha. As at today, in 2023 there will be four RS-GPs on the grid. The main leadership goals for the brand are to build up and train engineers, technicians, managers and of course, riders. Aprilia is riding the crest of a beautiful wave and cementing their names as a manufacturer to support and watch grow as the year continues. What a brilliant time it is to be A Espargaro considering his length of time in the sport.

Credit - Aprilia MotoGP Team (Aleix Espargaro)

Aleix Espargaro #41:

"In the next two weeks, I’ll have... the two home races! In fact, Mugello and Barcelona represent my two families and that is why these rounds have a particular flavour to them. We have demonstrated that we are fast and that is no exaggeration, but consistency is also what will make the difference this year. There are a lot of strong riders, bikes that are hard to stay ahead of, and every result is the fruit of practically perfect labour. We need to keep it up."

"This confirmation was just what the doctor ordered. We’ve worked hard together and grown together. We were a hope, now we are reality. In 2021 we had already seen clear signs of our steps forward and now we are able to battle consistently with the best in the world. Continuing to do so with Aprilia is a source of pride for me. We can grow even more and we want to demonstrate that on the track.”

Credit - Aprilia MotoGP Team (Maverick Vinales)

Maverick Vinales #12:

"With hard work, we are constantly finding the answers we are seeking, even if it isn’t easy. We are all battling at an extraordinary level where the devil is in the details and adapting to a new bike and a new team is no simple thing. But I have faith. The potential of the RS-GP is clear and in some situations I am able to exploit it, whereas we still need to work out a few phases of the weekend to take a definitive step forward."

"I'm extremely happy to continue my work with Aprilia Racing. Now our horizons are expanding and we’ll be able to work with continuity to achieve ambitious goals. I believe in this project and I'm happy to be part of it. I’ve found a fantastic environment in Aprilia and this confirmation gives me the peace of mind to grow the way this team and I deserve to."

The one rider who will be aiming for glory this weekend is Enea Bastianini. He is young, thriving and willing to risk it all on home soil. Not to mention, he loves the two upcoming circuits and is maturing quickly all things considering. He will have his fellow Ducati team members biting at his heels! The role he played in Bagnaia crashing last race was a massive steppingstone in MotoGP rider psychology and mind games. He was consistently on the back of Bagnaia and this force his hand to make an error. The goal this weekend for Bastianini is to remain calm, focused and not crash in the practice sessions. He is prepared and ready to roar.

Credit - www.motogp.com (Bastianini)

Enea Bastianini #23:

“I really love these two tracks, both are very exciting. I know the Montmeló podium well, while despite feeling strong at Mugello, I am yet to step onto the podium there. Let’s hope this year is the right one. We come from an to confirm our competitiveness.”

Whereas, Quartararo and Marc Marquez want more from their machines. There is a new fairing for the French rider and for Marquez, he is looking for the feeling at the Italian circuit to determine if they are progressing in the right direction. It is a real battle now to have bikes and riders working as one and we anticipate what they develop for 2023 will be critical to how the sport is received by fans. The ability to ride the Honda is something Pol Espargaro must crack because his contract is up in the air, he could even possibly return to KTM if the options are slim. With that said, there is no guarantees as we are aware that KTM is speaking with Rins, Miller and no doubt a few others to increase their chances in securing more World Championship points. Plus, there are rumours of Miguel Oliveira potentially being demoted and moved to Tech3 KTM Factory Racing. KTM are wanting to be transparent, and they want him to be open. It will be a few weeks before a complete line up is formed due to the craziness being experienced with the contracts across the manufacturers. Gossip is rife in the paddock on who, where and when!

Marc Marquez #93:

“Mugello is always a great circuit to ride, it’s very fast and when you are pushing down the straight on a MotoGP bike, it’s a great feeling. We will see what’s possible this weekend, we need to arrive and see what the situation is and where we are. I know that by continuing to work with my team, with Honda, we can return to being where we know our potential is.”

Pol Espargaro #44:

“Last year in Mugello we had a bit of a difficult race so this year I am hoping we can have a more straight forward Italian GP. I have been continuing to train to my maximum at home to be ready. We couldn’t achieve what we wanted last time in France so the objective is of course to come back here in Italy. We have two races and a test in two weeks, there will be a lot of bike time for us which is good. Let’s get to work.”

With the season progressing, we are very excited this weekend to see the battle royale between Ducati teammates Bagnaia, Miller and Yamaha rider Quartararo as both Ducati riders are vying for the top results in order to be number one within the red squad. We have three different personalities performing at their best although the room for errors is very small. The competition level is fierce and once again Quartararo is leading the Yamaha charge with Bagnaia and Miller in tow. The Michelin front tyre had trouble in the last two races with temperatures, they were very hot. In terms of Mugello, the transfer of weight is incredible, with 10-15oC higher in the front tyre section regarding front and rear devices. It has pushed everything forward and Michelin are having to determine how they fix their issues, whilst others work the machine itself to adapt. Hot tyres are causing problems and the weather this weekend could be hot sun as well as potential thunderstorms with rain. The front tyre stability will be dependent upon the weather conditions and turbulence with overtaking, winglets causing less overtaking and being sucked into the slip stream with dirty air causing problems at speed. It is not an easy fix, although front ride height devices are banned from 2023. To put this into perspective: you can get to within 0.5 - 1.0 seconds of the bike in front, then you are stuck as you can't get close enough to overtake and when you do your front tyre overheats. Therefore, it is no surprise because so many are crashing mid race after pushing to catch the rider in front.

Fabio Quartararo #20:

After a week off, we are racing at Mugello, which is a track I really like. Last year I won here, and that was a great race and a great feeling, especially because it was at my team’s home GP. This weekend, riding here will be even better because the fans will be there watching and enjoying the sessions. I’ll try to win again. As always I’m going to try and give it my 100%.

Credit - www.motogp.com (Miller)

Jack Miller #43:

"The Italian Grand Prix is always very special, as it's my team's home race. The atmosphere is incredible, and I can't wait to race in front of all the Ducati fans. During the last few GPs, I've developed a good feeling with my Desmosedici GP, and I hope I can find these sensations again here at Mugello, a track I like a lot. Overall, I'm positive, and I feel I can have another good weekend here in Italy".

Credit - www.motogp.com (Bagnaia)

Francesco Bagnaia #63:

"Finally, we're racing at Mugello on Sunday, and I'm really excited about it. Racing in Italy is always fascinating, and I'm expecting a fantastic weekend with all the Italian fans and Ducatisti supporting us on track! After the crash in France, I want to redeem myself. Now more than ever, it is crucial not to make any more mistakes to lose any more important points for the Championship. I will give my best as always."

It is time for the top riders to battle it out for glory and move up in the World Championship ladder. Weather will play an important role in how the bikes and tyres perform plus comfort levels to determine who will risk it all for the top step. Be sure to tune in and support our Australian riders in the premier class: Jack Miller and Remy Gardner.

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