MotoGP: Aprilia Racing reveals 2023 livery

Aprilia Racing has launched the Italian manufacturer’s 2023 MotoGP campaign, with riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales.

Aprilia Racing unveiled their 2023 bike at the team’s launch at the Portimao circuit. Both of their 2023 riders will continue with the Italian factory in 2023, with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales continuing their campaign with the team.

Aleix Espargaro will enter his seventh season with Aprilia, and his 12^th year in the premier class. The 33-year-old enters the season with confidence, after securing his best season in his Grand Prix career.

Espargaro finished fourth in the 2022 MotoGP standings, fighting for the Championship in the latter half of the year. He would take his first race win for himself and Aprilia at Argentina in a historic 200^th Grand Prix start.

Maverick Vinales will start his second full season with Aprilia, and his third year working with the Italian manufacturer. In 2022 Maverick finished 11^th in the MotoGP standings, taking his first podium with the team at Assen.

Vinales made the switch to Aprilia in the middle of the 2021 season, after a dramatic fallout with Yamaha. After the Austrian Grand Prix Vinales would leave Yamaha, only to return two races later with Aprilia.

Espargaro said: “Being with Aprilia for such a long time puts a certain amount of pressure on me because I know how important results are for this company. At the same time, maturity and the fact that I know the people I work with well give me peace of mind. The 2023 championship season will begin with plenty of unknowns. 

“The new format with the Sprint Race on Saturday will demand even more preparation of us riders but no one can truly assess the actual impact of this change yet. I have prepared to my best ability, and I am confident that we will have fun again this year.”

Viñales said: “I learned a lot in 2022 about Aprilia and my team, but also about myself. In this new season, we’ll be able to put everything learned during this apprenticeship into practice. I liked the new RS-GP straight away. It has improved in aspects, such as early throttle opening management, which are fundamental for my riding style.

“I like the new weekend format. It will be interesting both for the fans and for the teams which will have a chance to prepare for the Sunday race using the Sprint Race. I can’t wait to get started. The break was refreshing, but now I just want to get back out on the track!”

Image credit: motogp.com