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Aprilia’s number one MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro says he can’t wait to hear the feedback from three-time championship runner-up Andrea Dovizioso when he tests the RS-GP next month, as speculation increases about Dovizioso’s future role within the team.
Dovizioso originally signed up to complete a one-off three-day test at Jerez on April 12-14, but The Race’s sources in the MotoGP paddock have indicated that there may be a greater role for Dovizioso now – and that Aprilia is already pushing for him to test the bike a second time at Jerez in May and even to race it later in the year.
Espargaro, who was a strong eighth in Friday practice for the Qatar Grand Prix today, sounded delighted at the prospect of Dovizioso’s test.
“I talked to him yesterday,” said Espargaro. “I texted him, and I made a joke that after all his career, especially in the beginning, fighting on a Honda to be able to follow Aprilia two-strokes that were always faster in the straights than the Honda, after all his career now he has an Aprilia.
“So, he can be very happy and proud! But we always want to think more about the future.
“For Aprilia it’s unbelievable to sign a rider like Dovi to test the bike.
“Let’s give him some space, I’m sincerely very curious to see his reaction because he’s been riding the Ducati, and I think the Ducati and the Aprilia are very different in many aspects – the engine, the chassis, the electronics. So, let’s give him some time.”
The link between Dovizioso and Aprilia is partly of Espargaro’s making, with his impressive pre-season testing performances a great advert for the RS-GP.
Espargaro consistently looked like a podium contender through testing and practice and said Aprilia’s newfound speed makes the Dovizioso test even more important.
“In these last years we’re making steps to get closer to the top bikes,” he said, “and Aprilia have made an important step which will be very helpful for the future.
“And Dovizioso, apart from being a talented and fast rider, he can be a very good test rider. He did a great job with the Ducati.
“The last seasons he was winning races and fighting for the title so he will be able to give us good feedback and help us a lot.
“I can’t wait for him to try the bike in Jerez and to see his reaction and how he likes the bike and sees the weak points, because I will be six years with this bike, and he will be fresh and new and give a new point of view.”
Aprilia is understood to be attempting to line up sponsors to help pay Dovizioso’s salary, with a few to him replacing Lorenzo Savadori on the team’s second bike later in 2021.
Asked about the prospect of Dovizioso taking Savadori’s seat, Espargaro replied: “Which team in this paddock wouldn’t want Andrea Dovizioso as their second rider? My answer is obviously yes, and maybe as the first rider if I’m not fast enough.
“Dovi is a very, very fast rider, so let’s wait and see if he likes the bike…
“But he’s enjoying riding motocross a lot, and maybe he just wants to be a test rider.
“Look at [Cal] Crutchlow – I had a long chat with him after the test and he says he’s loving his new life, because he can stay with his family, he’s enjoying being with Yamaha as a test rider. So let’s go step by step.”
One person perhaps less keen to hear the increasing speculation about Dovizioso is Savadori.
Originally signed up at the start of 2020 as Bradley Smith’s understudy test rider, he ended up taking on the lion’s share of duties when Smith was promoted to race in place of the banned Andrea Iannone.
Subsequently parachuted into the team in place of Smith for the final three rounds before being given a full-time ride for 2021, Savadori is no stranger to the chop and change nature of Aprilia’s internal politics.
But he told The Race that all he can do for now is take things as they come and continue to do his best.
“Honestly at the moment, I’ll be happy to see Andrea try the bike because he is a friend, a very good rider, and he can help us a lot to develop the bike,” he said after the opening day of practice, where he finished last as he continues to recover from shoulder injuries.
“I’m happy that he’s testing. At the moment I’m focused on what I need to do, but nothing more. I’m just staying focused on my own work.”
