The maiden race for the 2017 RS-GP was one to remember, but for Aprilia it is already time to focus on a new challenge. The second race of the 2017 MotoGP season that will be held on the Argentinian Termas de Río Hondo is a new test bench for the progress the Italian bike has demonstrated.

In Qatar, the new RS-GP proved its competitiveness in the race, managing traction and performance, allowing Aleix Espargaró to finish just behind the leaders, taking sixth place after an excellent comeback ride. Performance on the flying lap in qualifying is the situation where riders and mechanics are now seeking further improvement. In the first race, Aleix was the protagonist of impressive progress, but a good position on the starting grid would increase the chances of aiming for an important result.

Therefore, for both of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders, the Argentinian race represents an important exam. If Aleix's goal is to continue the positive trend begun in Losail, Sam Lowes, a rookie in the category, is expecting a positive weekend after a less than easy début.

ALEIX ESPARGARO' 

"After the good sensations in Qatar, I can't wait to ride in Argentina. It's a track that I really like and I'm always comfortable with my riding style there. I hope to be able to get an optimal set up in race conditions, but at the same time I would like to battle for a good position in QP too."


SAM LOWES 

“I am happy to be getting back on the track straight away, especially in Argentina, a circuit that I like and where I was on the podium last year. Qatar was not the début we wanted. The particular conditions certainly did not make my first race an easy one. Next weekend I want to start the right way. As a team we need to take Aleix's good results as a point of reference and continue improving.”

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER 

“In the first race we received important confirmation on our pre-season development efforts. The RS-GP proved to be a well-balanced bike. It will be interesting to put it to the test on a circuit that is very different from Qatar. The characteristics of the Termas track seem to be a good fit both for the character of our bike and for Aleix's riding style. Sam, on the other hand, after "breaking the ice", needs to continue improving. The first day of practice will be a chance to figure out the track conditions. We will be continuing to work in view of the race but with particular attention on qualifying performance. We will try to improve in that situation, exploiting the new tyre as best we can to aim for a good position on the starting grid.”

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER 

“We are heading to Argentina with good intentions. We are on a positive trend both in technical terms and in terms of morale after the results in Qatar. Aprilia has done a great job. We have a technical package that has demonstrated a clear step forward. We are keeping our feet on the ground, but we are also well aware of our potential. We want to confirm the progress we saw in the first race on a different track now. On paper, the Termas track could suit our project better than Qatar, but as always, we will only be able to verify that once we get out on the track.”