Gresini Racing » News MotoGP » Race report » Last stop on the “triple header” tour for Aprilia: Bradl and Bautista take on Sepang and the unknown of the new asphalt with an improving RS-GP

Last stop on the “triple header” tour for Aprilia: Bradl and Bautista take on Sepang and the unknown of the new asphalt with an improving RS-GP

26 October 2016

The MotoGP teams are about to face the third and final race of the long intercontinental tour. After Japan and Australia, now it is Malaysia’s turn, on the revamped Sepang International Circuit. Many things have changed, from the asphalt to the configuration of some corners, changes that the riders and teams will need to be able to interpret from the first practice sessions.

The Aprilia Racing Team Gresini has come through the difficult Australian challenge, managing to finish the race in the points with both riders, despite a weekend that was complicated by the weather. In Malaysia, a track where Stefan Bradl took his best result of last season with a tenth place finish, the RS-GP machines are aiming to continue the upward trend of the latter half of the season where the bikes from Noale have improved in placement and performance, but also in qualifying.

ROMANO ALBESIANO – APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“The Sepang track is very demanding and complete, with long straights, decisive braking sections and long, leaning and accelerating corners. It will be an excellent test bench to further develop the RS-GP, with the unknown of the resurfacing that we will analyse once we are on the track. We will be bringing an engine with new specs here that should improve our performance. The team is ready for another positive race, with the goal of finishing once again in the top ten”.

FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER
“The overall results of this long, extra-European tour can be considered decidedly positive so far. In Japan, Bautista finished seventh, which is his best result of the season, and in Australia, despite the difficult weather conditions that kept us from lapping consistently during practice, Bradl rode with determination in the battle for eighth place. We are going to Sepang confident that we can bring home another positive team result. As always, the Malaysian round promises to be difficult because of the great heat. In any case, we are confident that we will be able to do a good job”.

ALVARO BAUTISTA

“Finally, a bit of heat after the low temperatures in Australia. We will see how things go on the track. It has been resurfaced, so we will have to assess grip conditions. I would like to have the same sensations as at Aragón and Motegi, continuing our development path with the RS-GP. The weekend in Australia was not an easy one, but I am sure that we will be back at our levels in Sepang”.

STEFAN BRADL

“The big question mark going to Sepang is the new asphalt. We are all going to the track without information on the conditions. Personally, I hope that we find good grip. I think everyone is hoping for that after the Australian race. I like the track a lot. Last year I had my best race of the season here, so I can’t wait to get onto the race weekend”.