Aprilia has announced a multi-year tie-up with oil and lubricant giant Gulf which will take effect for the 2019 MotoGP season.
Gulf is an instantly recognisable brand in the world of motorsport, especially in motorcycle racing, where in recent years it has enjoyed exposure on the BMW's of the Althea and Milwaukee Aprilia teams in World Superbikes, and as the main sponsor of David Johnson's BMW Superbike effort at the Isle of Man TT last year.
With just two weeks to go until the start of the new MotoGP season on March 10 in Qatar, Gulf will expand its presence in motorcycle racing with the Gresini Aprilia squad.
Speaking on the new partnership, Gulf Vice President Frank Rutten said: “The opportunity to move up into MotoGP, as a major partner of Aprilia Racing was a logical next step forward after World Superbikes.
“Aprilia is one of the most successful racing marques of all time while Gulf, of course, has a long history of success in motorsport.
“Making the move up to Grand Prix racing with a manufacturer that we know matches our ethos of quality, endurance and passion and our desire for progress.”
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola added: “We are delighted to be forging this new partnership with Gulf.
“It is an iconic brand with an impressive range of products and a great racing history. We look forward to writing the next chapter in this history over the coming years.
“I am very pleased to have Gulf working with Aprilia Racing in our upcoming MotoGP campaigns and it will be exciting to see these two great brands moving forward together.”
Aprilia enters its fifth season of its MotoGP return with experienced Spaniard Aleix Espargaro spearheading its assault with the RS-GP, while former Ducati and Suzuki rider Andrea Iannone joins him.
The Noale marque has enjoyed a strong winter testing phase so far, with Espargaro seventh overall at the end of the Sepang test.
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