BOTH FACTORY APRILIA BIKES IMPROVE IN THE HUNT FOR A TOP-TEN SPOT
SMITH INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITHOUT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Andrea Iannone and Aleix Espargaró took advantage of the outstanding conditions on the Jerez de la Frontera track to advance development on the Aprilia RS-GP. Both were able to improve their performance between FP1 and FP2, respectively just 767 and 812 thousandths of a second behind the top time.
Iannone used the first day of practice to compare two bikes with a slightly different configuration, finding a good feeling in the latter part of the day and, more importantly, identifying a promising base for his setup. There was a lot of work on Aleix’s side of the garage as well, with the rider busy doing a series of tests on the frame and electronics. Both riders (Andrea in the two sessions, Aleix in FP1) also tried out a new aerodynamic solution on the lower part of the bike.
In his second wild card of the season, Bradley Smith’s weekend is off to a solid start. An unfortunate crash toward the end of FP2 left the English rider a bit sore, but from initial checks, it shouldn’t compromise the rest of his race weekend.