Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) clearly dominated the recent Sepang MotoGP Test but a lot of attention was also focused on other manufacturers in the grid, particularly KTM and Aprilia. While the latest KTM RC16 has proven to be a force to be reckoned with this season, Aprilia brought in their A-game with the 2020 Aprilia RS-GP; a completely different machine from the 2019 prototype.
We had close look at the new 2020 Aprilia RS-GP throughout the winter test session at Sepang International Circuit and it is arguably one of the most dynamic-looking race bikes we’ve ever seen. When Ducati came up with their revolutionary aero fairings a few seasons back, it was ground-breaking. Now, the game is set up high and Aprilia is riding on that train hard.
Aprilia went through a lot to make sure that their MotoGP machine is competitive for the 2020 season. Hiring talents from the likes of Suzuki, Ducati and even car manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW proved to be somewhat positive as Aleix Espargaro threw down some respectable lap times at Sepang.
The 2020 Aprilia RS-GP also utilizes a brand new 90-degree V4 engine that offers a bigger and better performance parameter for riders and team to finetune the machine even more. There’s also the updated chassis which Aprilia confirmed to improve braking stability and cornering agility positively which has been the issue for both Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone faced last season.
Fighting for the top 10 consistently is a much more attainable target now and with Aleix being able to lap Sepang at 1:58.694 (which is only 0.345 seconds slower than Fabio Quartararo’s fastest time), we’ll be seeing more and more manufacturers fighting for podium contention. 2020 is going to one hell of a show.
