MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso hints at second Aprilia test after 'emotional' Jerez outing

Andrea Dovizioso has suggested that he’ll test Aprilia’s RS-GP MotoGP machine again in the next few weeks, this time at Mugello.

The Italian, who’s currently taking a sabbatical from the championship, is currently in Jerez conducting a three-day test with the Aprilia team. Unfortunately, the wind around the Spanish circuit brought a premature end to his time on the RS-GP after a few laps this morning.

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Speaking to the media for the first time after testing for Aprilia, it was clear that the experience had been a positive one for the three-time runner-up.

“It was emotional,” Dovizioso admitted to MCN. “It’s very nice from a rider’s side to try a different bike because every rider would like to try every bike in MotoGP just to have a feeling and to understand a little bit more about what you’ve seen on the TV or on the track.

“When you change bikes after eight years, it’s a big change, so the first thing is the position on the bike. That is the main point, and it takes time because you have to understand which is the best position for you, and for the bike because each bike has different characteristics.”

Dovizioso’s departure from Ducati after eight campaigns came as a surprise for many, whilst his decision to take a year out of the championship was an even bigger shock. Ironically, it’s believed that he was offered a ride by Aprilia, which Dovizioso turned down.

Nevertheless, when asked what his motivation was for getting back out onto a circuit on a MotoGP bike was clear…

“It’s because my passion is still MotoGP and I would like to race next year so I think it was smart to be on the track, Dovizioso explained. “There was no reason to say no, and everything was organised in the right way.

“I’m really happy and I think it is positive in any case, whether I race next year or not. The possibility to ride a MotoGP bike is always nice.”

Whilst Dovizioso wasn’t able to provide any details about lap-times or delve too far into his impressions of the RS-GP, the former Ducati rider did suggest that in the next few weeks he’ll ride the bike once again at Aprilia in order to become more comfortable with his position on the bike and to try and understand other areas of the Aprilia.

“I think that a lot of MotoGP riders are able to be fast and quite close to the fastest riders but to be there and fight for the important lap-time or position is a different story – and to do that you need to have the right position.

“This takes time, so I have some ideas, but I don’t think everything is clear, but this is normal because it takes time to push the bike to the limit and to feel comfortable on the bike. We will do another test because we want to work a bit more on the position on the bike and that is key to work on some more details. This takes time. That is the plan.”

 

As things stand Dovizioso admits that he doesn’t see himself racing this season – either as a replacement rider for an injured party or as a wildcard – and that a 2022 return is the target.