MotoGP: Aprilia Racing announce their 2023 lineup

Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales will stay with Aprilia Racing Team for the next two years. 2023 and 2024 will see the two talented Spaniards stay with the Italian manufacturer in MotoGP.

The announcement was made at an exceptional press conference at Mugello ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

Vinales and Espargaro have been kept by Aprilia to keep stability in the team as the RS-GP continues to improve. This season Espargaro has won Aprilia’s first modern day MotoGP race and is fighting for the championship.

Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Racing: “This confirmation was just what the doctor ordered. We’ve worked hard together and grown together. We were a hope, now we are reality. In 2021 we had already seen clear signs of our steps forward and now we are able to battle consistently with the best in the world. Continuing to do so with Aprilia is a source of pride for me. We can grow even more and we want to demonstrate that on the track.”

Maverick Vinales: “I’m extremely happy to continue my work with Aprilia Racing. Now our horizons are expanding and we’ll be able to work with continuity to achieve ambitious goals. I believe in this project and I’m happy to be part of it. I’ve found a fantastic environment in Aprilia and this confirmation gives me the peace of mind to grow the way this team and I deserve to.”

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO: “All the good we are doing this season is the fruit of many components, certainly the value of our designers and our technicians led by Romano Albesiano, the overall growth of our racing department and, in large part, the synergy that our Captain Aleix has skilfully built with the bike and with the team. So, we set the goal of continuing along these lines, both with Aleix and with Maverick, and I am pleased with these confirmations today. We still need to grow a lot and now we have the peace of mind to do so.” 

Aprilia Racing technical director, Romano Albesiano: “It’s crucial to keep the same riders. Changing would have been a difficult challenge. I’m very happy and proud to keep working with Aleix, it’s been a long story, and I’m pretty sure with Maverick we will get to the same level.”

Hear our thoughts about the signings on the Superbike Show next Wednesday.

Images from MotoGP.com