Three Aprilias in the top ten for the sprint race in Mugello

VIÑALES FINISHES FIFTH, ESPARGARÓ NINTH, AND FERNÁNDEZ TENTH, SAVADORI EIGHTEENTH

Great qualifiers for Maverick Viñales who further improved his feeling with the RS-GP24, managing to finish third, Aprilia Racing’s best placement on the grid in their MotoGP era. The Spanish rider had a good start in the Sprint Race, despite dropping back a few spots during the opening laps. Maverick battled with determination for fifth, gaining the upper hand over the group under the chequered flag.

Aleix Espargaró, after starting from the ninth spot on the grid, struggled to move up from the rear guard after a less than perfect start, finishing the Sprint Race ninth. Lorenzo Savadori, riding as a wild card, finished the Sprint Race in eighteenth place.

Maverick and Aleix still earned important points which keep Aprilia Racing second in the overall standings of the Manufacturers Championship with 130 points.

MAVERICK VIÑALES
“I started well, but getting to the first braking section in second or third position would have been better, because I lost a lot of time in the battle. This slowed me down, even though I was lapping faster than the rider ahead of me after that. I am highly optimistic for the long race because we think we have an outstanding chance of improving.”

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
“I’m not competitive enough, especially in the high speed direction changes, due to my riding style. I lost a few spots at the start and then I got caught in the group. In spite of this, my pace isn’t bad and a top-five finish in the race is an attainable result for us.”

LORENZO SAVADORI
“I had a good start and a great battle at the beginning of the Sprint Race. I’m satisfied because we tested some things which could make us more competitive. It is always a huge thrill to race here in Mugello, and it was fantastic to see Maverick and Aprilia on the front row – a sign that we are working in the right direction.”

ROMANO ALBESIANO
“Even if Mugello is not a favourable track for us, we are still extremely happy with Maverick’s performance in qualifying, just missing pole position. We are also satisfied with the performance by Aleix, Miguel, and Raúl, who managed to go through to Q2 after taking part in Q1. The opening stages of the race were complicated. We need to improve for the long race and shave off a few tenths in order to be in a better position at the first corner. The test team is doing an excellent job and we’ll see the results in the upcoming races.”