The Spanish MotoGP riders Aleix Espargaro, currently second in the World Championship, and Maverick Vinales (10th), will remain on the handlebars of the Aprilias until 2024, the Italian team announced Thursday in Mugello, three days before the Grand Prix of Aprilia. Italy.
“Aprilia Racing confirms its official drivers for the 2023/2024 biennium,” she announced at a press conference.
“We still have to grow a lot and we now have the serenity to do so,” said Massimo Rivola, managing director of the team, welcoming in particular “the harmony that Aleix has been able to build with the bike and with the ‘team”.
Aleix Espargaro, 32, considered the team’s “captain”, has been riding an Aprilia since 2017. He was joined during last season by his compatriot Vinales, 27, after his divorce from Yamaha.
Both know each other well having raced together at Suzuki a few years ago.
Espargaro is currently Fabio Quartararo’s first pursuer in the world championship. The Spaniard, who remains on three podiums in a row (Portugal, Spain, France), is only four points behind the leader and French defending champion before the eighth Grand Prix of the season at Mugello on Sunday.
“We worked hard and we grew together. We were a hope, we are a reality. In 2021, we had already seen clear signs of our progress and now we are able to fight with the best”, commented Aleix Espargaro, quoted in a press release.
