Honda Racing Corporation has announced it has signed Aprilia Technical Director Romano Albesiano to its MotoGP redevelopment project.
Albesiano has three decades of motorcycle racing development experience, most notably in his 11 years at the Italian manufacturer, where he helped transform the team from a backmarker to a podium contender.
It was during practice at the manufacturer’s home race in Motegi that Honda announced the news of Albesiano’s arrival.
The Italian will leave his role with the Aprilia factory team at the end of 2024 to embark on a new challenge of returning the Japanese manufacturer to its former glory.
The signing of Albesiano is a landmark occasion for Honda as it marks the first high-profile European engineer to join the development programme of the RC213V machine.
Aleix Espargaro: Honda’s Albesiano signing “very intelligent”
Albesiano isn’t the only member of the current Aprilia team heading to the Honda development programme for 2025.
Aleix Espargaro, who has worked with Albesiano at Aprilia for seven years, will be heading to HRC as its test rider for next year.
When asked about what the Italian could offer to Honda, Espargaro gave him a glowing review.
“Regarding his move to Honda, I think it has been very intelligent to sign him as the Italian engineers, the European factories, are improving a lot,” said Espargaro to MotoGP.com.
“So, it’s a really big help for Honda and the Japanese engineers – with his ideas, what he has done with the RS-GP has been remarkable.
“I’m happy also for Romano. To go to the biggest factory with such an incredible history in the championship has a main technical director is such a privilege.
“I am extremely proud and I can’t wait to start this new journey.
“I know how Romano has been involved in the test team at Aprilia, so I know that my role will be important.
“And for me it will be fantastic to have Romano in the garage and to work with him will be great because I have a big respect and a really good relationship.”
Joan Mir: Honda “need people” like Albesiano joining MotoGP development
Current Honda factory rider Joan Mir says that he believes that the signing of Albesiano to the development programme is what the Japanese manufacturer needed.
The 2020 World Champion also believes that Albesiano could get the team back on track when comparing Aprilia to Honda.
“I think it is a very important movement because we need people like Romano joining the team with a lot of experience like he has from Aprilia and during all his years.
“The Aprilia team was in the same situation as Honda, so he moved forward and made a competitive bike so he knows a little bit about what needs to be done.
“The position that he will be in, combined with the Japanese technicians and engineers, are very good.
“But probably to have one European person inside and pushing them to make that evolution and progress faster is what we probably need.
