Bikes

Gallery: The 2017 Aprilia RS-GP MotoGP Bike

Aprilia "relaunches" the MotoGP challenge with new riders Aleix Espargaro and Sam Lowes

March 3, 2017

Aprilia has officially unveiled its 2017 MotoGP team with new riders Aleix Espargaro and Sam Lowes, and the new 2017 RS-GP, which is more powerful and technologically advanced for this year. Scroll through our gallery for more information about the bike, the team, and the two new riders.

The new red, white and green livery was designed by Aldo Drudi and "celebrates a fiercely proud, all-Italian project." NOW TV, a major sponsor of the team, is Sky's Internet TV service; Aprilia Racing will be pioneering innovative content and entertainment formulas with the company.Courtesy of Aprilia

The RS-GP showed consistent progress in 2016, with consistent top-ten finishes in the second half of the season. While there are now drastic changes in the new bike, weight and overall balance has been optimized, and improvements have been made in engine performance and the electronics package.Courtesy of Aprilia

According to Romano Albesiano, Aprilia's racing manager, "The initial feedback has been encouraging. Aleix likes the new bike and has some rather clear ideas on which characteristics have the most room for improvement, so we will be working in those areas throughout the season."Courtesy of Aprilia

While the team did test a new fairing that complies to the new aerodynamics rules at the Australia test, the bike at the team introduction lacks that fairing's replacement for the wings used last year. Still, Albesiano says the front fairing is "just the most visible example of Aprilia's dedication to innovation."Courtesy of Aprilia

Fauso Gresini, the team manager, noted that "We are approaching the 2017 season well aware that we can count on a good starting base: in the tests at Sepang and Phillip Island, the team and riders worked very well. Aleix got straight to work astride the new RS-GP, finding excellent sensations and providing important indications to steer technical development, which is obviously nonstop and concerns all areas of the bike."Courtesy of Aprilia

"On the other side," continued Gresini, "Lowes has made significant progress. Sam is tackling this new adventure with the right spirit, aiming at building up the necessary experience."Courtesy of Aprilia

Spaniard Aleix Espargaro's record in MotoGP includes two pole positions and a podium finish, as well as a seventh-place finish in the rider standings. "I am happy to unveil the new livery that we will use this year," said Espargaro. "It is always nice to officially launch a new project, especially because I have great confidence in Aprilia Racing and the team's work."Courtesy of Aprilia

"We still have a lot to improve, but we have undoubtedly gotten off on the right foot," continued Espargaro. "We have specific goals and in order to achieve them, both the team and I will put all of our energy onto the track. All that's left now is to take on the first race in Qatar and see where we stand against our rivals."Courtesy of Aprilia

Sam Lowes comes to the team from Moto2, where he won two races and finished on the podium six times in 2016. "I think that I was able to express about 85% of our potential in the winter tests," said Lowes, "and from the first race I would like to identify a good base to build on, improving step by step all the way to Valencia."Courtesy of Aprilia

"We are setting our sights on the points zone straight away," Lowes said, "and then aiming for the Top-Ten and to battle for some important MotoGP placements. I believe in myself and I fully believe in the potential of my bike and my team."Courtesy of Aprilia

Roberto Colaninno, Piaggio Group CEO and managing director, said that "Aprilia Racing represents one of the Piaggio Group's points of technological excellence. In fact, racing is the highest point of experimentation and the development of technological solutions from which all the products and brands in the group then benefit. This year, we want to continue our growth trend and be a threat to manufacturers who have been in this class for decades and we have everything it takes to achieve this goal: staff, technology, experience and a lot of passion."Courtesy of Aprilia