Aprilia boss unsure of Ducati advantage

With new rules limiting the top power of the fastest WSB machines coming into play in 2015, Aprilia were given another nudge to head to MotoGP with its main factory effort.

They are confirmed, however, to be leaving behind true factory WSB bikes and a factory development programme inside the Red Devils Roma team camp, and Leon Haslam has already made good use of his vee-four package in testing at Jerez.

For Aprilia Racing boss Romano Albesiano, the only unknown is the balance between the four-cylinder bikes and the theoretically much more competitive 2015 Ducatis. “I do not know about the Ducatis, if they have a real advantage or not,” said Albesiano at the end of Jerez testing. “I do not know this but for the four cylinders it seems to be a very balanced championship. In terms of performance it is still really good.”

Albesiano almost feels that Haslam and co. will be ready to race anytime soon. “It has been a very good test here for Superbike,” said Albesiano. “Especially about Leon’s real performance and comments. I am positive for the season. There is not a lot of work to do. The bike is OK.”