MotoGP: Biaggi and Gresini Both Deny Aprilia Test Rumours

Max Biaggi, who won two World Superbike Championships with Aprilia in 2010 and 2012, could be called up to replace Andrea Iannone at the upcoming Sepang test. Iannone will be forced to sit out after testing positive to a drug test, though in recent days Biaggi and Fausto Gresini have both denied the rumours, leading to questions on why Aprilia shortlisted him to begin with.

The Moto3 team-owner is joined by two other likely candidates on the list to join Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia test-rider Bradley Smith in Malaysia.

One of the other linked riders is former Avintia Ducati rider Karel Abraham, who was left without a ride after Frenchman Johann Zarco confirmed his return to the World Championship after splitting with KTM in September. However, the current favourite to join Espargaro and Smith in Sepang is former Aprilia World Superbike rider Lorenzo Savadorri, the Italian rider who competed in the inaugural season of the MotoE World Cup.

Aprilia is yet to confirm their riders for the upcoming test, however, the shakedown test in Sepang prior to the official test will give us a clearer indication.

Their decision comes just days after Andrea Iannone was found to have an Exogenous Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid, thought to be drostanolone in both his A and B samples provided at the same Malaysian venue last November.

After this initial link earlier in the week, Aprilla Racing team boss, Fausto Gresini was quick to shut down motivation to GPOne.

“It would be really nice to see Max on the Aprilia but it would be a very demanding task for him. His speed and his expertise are beyond dispute, but it’s one thing to ride on the track to have fun, as he is doing, another is to face such an important test on a new bike.” – Fausto Gresini

The playing down was furthered in recent days at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, where Biaggi himself was in attendence.

“As far as I know, I won’t be back on the bike in the MotoGP tests. But I really like it when my presence is required, when Aprilia calls me.

“Even if it’s just for fun, I am always there for Aprilia. For me, riding a motorbike remains the best thing in the world, as it is for all fans.” – Max Biaggi

In fact, Gresini seemed more confident in other options, outside of just Biaggi, Abraham or Smith.

“In my opinion, the best option is Lorenzo Savadori. He is a young rider and wants to do well and get involved. He has experience in WorldSBK and knows all the guys on the team, so putting him forward would be easier for everyone.” – Fausto Gresini

Savadori raced for Aprila between 2016 and 2018 in WSBK and like Biaggi is familar with the outfit. In recent years he’s been a regular in MotoE.

The denial from both Biaggi and Gresini should shut down any talks of a return. Though it must be questioned how the rumour was first started. If anything, the denial of both sides should only increase speculation as it does not play into eithers hand during the negotiating process. One option therefore is that the appearance is being played down to quell expectations.

Of course, this may not be true at all and the further discussion of Biaggi only decreases the pressure on other likely candidates such as Smith or Abraham ahead of what might prove an important showing for either rider.

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