Rivola (Aprilia): “We desperately needed a weekend like this!”

Aprilia enjoyed a perfect weekend at the British Grand Prix. At both the Sprint and the Grand Prix at Silverstone, the podium consisted entirely of Aprilia riders. On Saturday, Jorge Martin took the win ahead of Ai Ogura and Marco Bezzecchi. On Sunday, it was Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez who won ahead of the two factory riders, Martin and Bezzecchi.

Aprilia’s racing director, Massimo Rivola, had plenty to celebrate last weekend. Is he happy that an Aprilia won Sunday’s main race, or is he also a little disappointed that no rider from the works team stood at the very top of the podium? “I’m absolutely delighted for Trackhouse and also for Justin. I was pleased to see him on the podium at the victory ceremony, as he doesn’t attend very many races. I’m also happy for Raul, because I wanted him to be at Aprilia,” said Rivola.

Willkommen zum Rennen in Silverstone

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Marco Bezzecchi

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Fans

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Raúl Fernández

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Jorge Martin

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Start des Rennens

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Start des Rennens

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Alex Márquez und Pedro Acosta

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Jorge Martin

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Luca Marini

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Marc und Alex Márquez

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Raúl Fernández

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Pecco Bagnaia

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Marco Bezzecchi

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Marc Márquez und Fabio Di Giannantonio

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Moreira und Quartararo

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Raúl Fernández gewinnt das Rennen

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Silverstone-Sieger Raúl Fernández

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Martin, Fernández, Bezzecchi

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Sieger Raúl Fernández

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Willkommen zum Rennen in Silverstone

© Gold & Goose

Rivola: “It’s great to make history for ourselves”

How significant is the double ‘podium lockout’ for him? “It’s lovely to make history for ourselves. This is our first weekend where only Aprilia riders were on the podium on both days. Of course, we know this track suits us well. Historically, we’ve always been competitive here,” smiled the Italian. Why does the Silverstone Circuit suit the RS-GP so well? “Mainly because of the high-speed corners. I think we have an advantage there because of our aerodynamics – the faster the corners, the better they work.”

Following the magnificent home event at Mugello at the end of May, where two one-two finishes were secured, there was a brief dry spell leading up to the MotoGP weekend at Assen, during which Marc Marquez (Ducati) in particular put in a strong performance. Following another very successful race weekend for Aprilia in the Netherlands, it was Marquez who claimed victory once again at the Sachsenring. “After those difficult months, we desperately needed a weekend like this,” emphasised Rivola.

Do the successes on the British Isles give Aprilia extra motivation for the second half of the season? “The second half of the season is going to be tough anyway. Of course, it helps to start it off with good results,” confirmed Rivola. “It’s good to see how Jorge is able to utilise his riding style. And many people don’t realise what Marco achieved on Sunday. Because he was still struggling badly that morning.”