Aprilia has announced that 2017-19 MotoGP runner-up Andrea Dovizioso will remain a part of its effort for the remainder of 2021, officially becoming its test rider and hinting at what the future might hold for both the rider and the team.
He has already tested the Aprilia twice this year after leaving Ducati at the end of the 2020 season.
Aprilia confirmed today that that has now moved from an informal agreement to a new deal covering the rest of the year.
“Since I wasn’t able to test at Mugello in dry conditions, I’m pleased that Aprilia Racing asked me to continue the work we started in Jerez and to be able to provide my contribution to developing the bike,” said Dovizioso.
“I think this will be beneficial for both of us – for me, to continue training on a MotoGP bike in anticipation of a possible return in 2022, and for Aprilia to receive what they feel to be interesting information. For this reason, we decided to do more tests.”
Dovizioso dramatically parted ways with Ducati at the end of the 2020 season after being unable to agree financial terms with his eight-year employer.
Walking away from the negotiating table, he announced a one-year sabbatical from the premier class, with the aim of returning to racing action in 2022.
He was then tempted back onto a bike by the impressive form displayed by Aprilia racer Aleix Espargaro in the opening rounds of the season.
With the RS-GP dramatically improved for 2021, Espargaro has looked like a podium contender at multiple rounds – and clearly did enough to prick the ears of Dovizioso, who had turned Aprilia down late last year.
He first rode the bike in early May at Jerez, spending three days getting used to the machine but adamant afterwards that significant ergonomic changes were needed before he was able to gauge his level.
However, it went well enough that he was tempted back for a second outing at Mugello last week, where wet weather similarly gave him a reason to not divulge too much information to the media when speaking afterwards.
But rumours immediately started that it had went well enough to prompt a third outing in the near future at Misano.
What’s more significant than today’s news is perhaps what it means for the future.
Dovizioso has been adamant he would only make a racing return in 2022 if he had a competitive offer – and that any prospect of 2021 wildcard appearances (of which Aprilia is allowed six) would only happen if he was in effect rehearsing for 2022 with a deal on the table.
So, it’s now significant that while he’s not yet committed to the longer-term, there is in fact a contract on the table – and one that effectively offers him the only possible route back to the MotoGP grid on a full time basis.
“To be honest, I think that it’s too optimistic to think about him doing a wildcard with us for this year, because if a rider like Dovi wants to do a wildcard with us – and he can do six, if he wants to! – then he isn’t just coming to the racetrack after 10 or 15 races expecting to be a bit behind,” team boss Massimo Rivola told The Race ahead of Dovizioso’s first outing.
“I’m not thinking about it. It would be a nice target for our future, but for many aspects – his experience, his talent, the weight he brings.
“A rider like that helps you to grow the entire company. For sure it would be a help for Aleix as well.”
