THE APRILIAS ARE SUPER FAST AT SILVERSTONE

AND ALEIX ESPARGARÓ IS THE FASTEST OF ALL ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE

MAVERICK ALSO EASILY IN THE TOP TEN WITH THE FOURTH-BEST TIME

The first MotoGP weekend after the summer break starts under the Aprilia banner. On Friday at Silverstone, Aleix was the fastest, almost 7 tenths ahead of the nearest rival after a textbook lap towards the end of the second session. The Spanish rider’s feeling with the English track is nothing new. In fact, it was here where he took his first podium with Aprilia in 2001.

Maverick also did well, with the fourth-best time and two outstanding sessions despite a crash during the early stages of the second one. Going straight through to Q2, Viñales has pain in his left leg. Although initial checks ruled out any serious consequences, the injury will be assessed again between today and tomorrow.

Aleix
"I won’t hide that I am satisfied. I pushed but without exaggerating, remembering what happened last year. After the Silverstone crash, when I was the fastest, I lost a bit of lustre, so the main objective today was to find my pace without making mistakes. This morning free practice session helped me, I was able to properly try a couple of new items and I must say that Aprilia and Lorenzo (Savadori) have done a good job over the summer break. In the finale, I put a good lap together. The bike and my riding style adapt well to the layout of Silverstone."

Maverick
"The crash was a violent one, not to mention a bit strange and unexpected. Fortunately, I managed to get back out on the track, testing both pace and my flying lap and feeling good in both situations. I tried the new fairing which seems to be an improvement, whereas tomorrow I’d like to test the new swingarm too. I have pain now, but I’m able to ride and that is the most important thing. We’ll assess my condition tomorrow morning."