In recent weeks, Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro has again complained about various problems that have not yet been solved with the RS-GP in high-temperature conditions. This has been a persistent issue with the team and we have never come up with a solution. The challenging weather conditions observed during recent MotoGP flyaway races like Malaysia and Thailand have again raised a question and sums up Aprilia’s problem with this issue since it affects rider stamina and the functioning of the bike at its core.
A Persistent Challenge For Aleix Espargaro Since 2018
Aleix Espargaro said that Aprilia’s issues with heat management started as far back as during the MotoGP testing in 2018. He remembers the first race in Thailand with Scott Redding. After the session, it took maybe two laps around to realize that the engine overheats massively in these conditions. This, however, has not been much different in the years that have followed this appropriate action. As MotoGP technology advanced and bikes became more aerodynamic, Aprilia’s heat issues worsened, especially with the RS-GP’s increased aerodynamic features.
Aleix Espargaro stressed that even though the company has been working for years to develop this model, Aprilia still has not solved this problem. The enhanced aerodynamics of the RS-GP may be contributing to the problem, as the added aerodynamic features appear to trap more heat within the bike. Packaging of this kind that provides an aerodynamic advantage is especially useful at low speeds, but it presents many problems to the rider in hot conditions and shortens the life span of the machines.
Impact On Riders and Performance In High Heat
Excessive heat has caught the best of Aprilia rider’s wear and tear, and consistency. For instance, Maverick Vinales had to withdraw from last year’s Thai Grand Prix because the heat was making him uncomfortable. This season, however, Aleix Espargaro failed, he scored only 13 points where the heat again had a significant effect on the RS-GP. That is not just linked to the riders’ ability to handle these conditions, but also the physical parts of the car, which seem to wear out faster, especially under high heat.
As the Malaysian GP qualifying proved, Aleix Espargaro found that the bike core parts such as the fuel pump, brakes, and tires were not as efficient as they seemed in cooler Australian GP races where the RS-GP seemed to offer much more potential. The heat also appeared to drain the engine power as Aleix Espargaro was able to make some of the oppositions in this category a close call of swapping positions as in some other climate circumstances. This has given the impression that the RS-GP has issues with high temperatures, unlike some teams, that may be experiencing minor setbacks on their cars.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the future, Aleix Espargaro pointed out that this has to become an important matter for Aprilia in the professional racing world if the manufacturer is to stand their ground in the advancing MotoGP tour. He also pointed out that the working of this bike is based on the promising but daunted principle in high-temperature circumstances. If the mentioned problem is not solved, the company will not be able to strengthen its competitive position primarily in tropical environments, where overheating problems will persist.
According to Aleix Espargaro, if Aprilia is to progress and challenge rivals regularly, then one must consider these heat issues as the biggest priorities for development. As long as the team fails to improve performance in all temperatures, Aprilia MotoGP riders are to face challenges in warmer climates a factor that was already restricting their performance in the most important events of this racing season.
