Aprilia: MotoGP to evaluate special test ahead of Martin’s comeback

Aprilia Racing team supervisor Paulo Bonora has confirmed that the manufacturing facility squad has requested particular permission for injured world champion Jorge Martin to check on his MotoGP machine earlier than a return to motion in Qatar subsequent month. 

Martin revealed yesterday that he wouldn’t heal in time for the Americas Grand Prix on the finish of March, however that the next race in Qatar regarded “50/50”. 

The reigning world champion additionally talked about his need to check, given that he missed a large amount of pre-season preparation due to the February crash at Sepang that heralded the unfortunate run of injuries that has kept him out of action thus far.

His crew boss Bonora moved the story on throughout Friday observe for this weekend’s Argentina GP at Termas de Rio Hondo, when he defined Aprilia’s push for a change within the strict testing rules that will enable Martin to check his race machine.

“We’re speaking about the potential of Jorge testing on the MotoGP bike,” he mentioned. “We predict it’s an excellent concept, and never just for us.

“That’s as a result of usually in recent times, riders have come again to the race monitor and weren’t in a position to journey the MotoGP bike. They determined to cancel their weekend after just one or two laps. 

“So we expect that for security causes it’s an excellent choice for everyone. Permitting a check with the MotoGP bike can enhance security for everyone and in addition the present. 

“We thought of him driving a manufacturing bike to guage whether or not he’s good to journey, but it surely’s not the identical. The load, the ability, the response of the tyres…are utterly totally different.”

Underneath the foundations, Martin, who joined Aprilia from Pramac Ducati over the winter, wouldn’t be allowed to check a MotoGP bike outdoors of official check classes.

Aprilia is thus asking for an adjustment or an exception to the foundations, which would require approval from MotoGP promoter Dorna in addition to different producers.

“We’re placing this on the desk with Dorna initially, after which the plan is to speak to the opposite producers,” defined Bonora. “It’s essential to have their approval as a result of it’s essential to make a change within the regulation.

“The plan can be for him to check with our MotoGP bike two or three days earlier than the Doha weekend, as a way to ensure of his well being state of affairs. It could be in Europe, most likely at Misano.”

Bonora additionally make clear why a return for the Americas GP in two weeks was not an choice.

“We most well-liked to keep away from [Americas GP venue] Austin as a result of it’s one of the crucial demanding tracks by way of rideability,” he mentioned.

“The rider has to place quite a lot of drive on the handlebars and on the foot peg, so we want to take extra time for him, to provide him the possibility to realize 100% well being.”

Martin’s team-mate Marco Bezzecchi represented Aprilia nicely in Argentina on Friday, trying aggressive all day and breezing into Saturday’s Q2 with the fourth-fastest time within the Friday afternoon observe session.

The Italian was the primary rider of the day to interrupt the circuit lap report, which had stood since 2014.