MotoGP returns to the 4,967 yards of the TT Circuit Assen, the penultimate race before the summer break. A historic track, the only one to have hosted a Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing round every year since 1949, modified several times over the years but always capable of providing an exciting show.

Aprilia heads there with high enthusiasm and a few points less than they should have been able to earn. Just over a year from the project début, the RS-GP has made visible and consistent progress since the season start, but up to now, circumstances have penalized the Italian team in the races. Team and riders have certainly not lowered their expectations. In the Barcelona tests, Aleix Espargaró and Sam Lowes once again worked in view of the (substantially continuous) development of the V4 prototype, confirming the overall quality of the technical package they have available to them.

Therefore, for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, the Dutch round promises to be a very important race. There are still many unknowns, especially on a demanding and complex track like the one in Drenthe, with the possibility of rain always looming at these latitudes.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'

"After three races with zero points, we deserve to show the true potential of the Aprilia RS-GP and I hope I am able to bring home a good result at Assen. I like the circuit a lot. After the tests at Montmelò, we confirmed that we have a great pace in race simulation, so now it's time to demonstrate that with a great Sunday."

SAM LOWES 

"I like the Assen circuit. I can't wait to get on the track, have fun and show my progress. For myself and for the team. Hopefully I'll do my best race of the season."

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER 

"We are heading to Holland with high expectations. Assen is one of the best suited tracks to the characteristics of the RS-GP. The track requires stability in the fast sections, despite the fact that the last part with the chicane also demands a certain dose of agility. One of the fundamental issues will be the weather, which we hope remains stable (one way or the other) throughout the weekend."

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER 

"We are consistently demonstrating that we have great potential, but for one reason or another, the final result has eluded us. Personally, I am pleased with how competitive the RS-GP is. We are at a very high level and unfortunately a hiccough or two are expected during our growth path. We are going to Assen comforted by a lot of positive signs and well-aware that we still have a long way to go, but we are not afraid of hard work."