Aprilia have unveiled their new 2020 MotoGP livery during a launch event at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on Friday.
Present at the launch was Andrea Iannone, who currently faces a doping ban and his ride alongside team-mate Aleix Espargaro is therefore under threat. Potential replacement Bradley Smith was also present at the unveiling.
The livery remains largely unchanged, but the bike itself has been ‘entirely redesigned’ according to the team, with “refined aerodynamics, which combine with a new V90 engine, an exclusive seamless gearbox, developed in-house, and a double rail frame in aluminium”.
Aprilia sporting director Massimo Rivola called it an “incredible effort”, but expects the first few races to be difficult as they refine the new challenger.
“This has been the longest winter of recent years for Aprilia Racing,” said Rivola. “The guys and girls in the racing department put forth a truly incredible effort.
“Arriving in Sepang with two prototypes was already a small victory for us. In the first test, the new RS-GP showed good signs, so we need to pick up from there to build our new season.
“I said it before, and I’ll confirm it again: we cannot expect a clear path. We will most likely have a complicated early part of the season with a bike that is very much still wet behind the ears, but I am certain that from mid-season, we will be able to see the true value of the hard work done in Noale.”
Rivola is also hopeful that Iannone will be cleared and able to race for the team, though this currently remains unclear.
“Hopefully we’ll have Andrea with us soon and be able to complete, along with Aleix and Bradley, our trio of riders.”
