Dovizioso lands formal Aprilia test deal

For the rest of the 2021 MotoGP season, Andrea Dovizioso will participate in “a series of tests” with Aprilia.

After leaving Ducati at the end of 2020, Dovizioso was untied and went on to test with Aprilia in Jerez in April and Mugello earlier this month.

The 15-time MotoGP champion is now expected to ride an RS-GP at Misano on June 23-24, with more RS-GP appearances to follow.

“After a first date in Jerez, spent getting acquainted with the redeveloped RS-GP, followed by another in Mugello, hindered by weather conditions, Andrea Dovizioso and Aprilia Racing will continue their partnership with further testing,” read a statement from Aprilia Racing.

“This means that the collaboration between the Italian champion [125cc, 2004] and Aprilia Racing is now more structured, with a series of tests expected throughout the 2021 season.”

However, the 35-year-old believes he will be able to race in MotoGP again in 2022.

“Since I wasn’t able to test at Mugello in dry conditions, I’m pleased that Aprilia Racing asked me to continue the work we started in Jerez and to be able to provide my contribution to developing the bike,” he said.

“I think this will be beneficial for both of us – for me, to continue training on a MotoGP bike in anticipation of a possible return in 2022, and for Aprilia to receive what they feel to be interesting information.

“For this reason, we decided to do more tests.”

Dovizioso would most likely replace youngster Lorenzo Savadori if he returned to the grid next year with Aprilia, especially as team boss Aleix Espargaro is under contract until 2022.

“Our RS-GP idea experienced a significant revolution last year, and now we can finally push on development,” Aprilia Racing technical director Romano Albesiano added.

“The first part of the 2021 season has been very positive and rather evident improvements have been seen. Now, being able to set up a work schedule with Andrea is a great opportunity to accelerate and consolidate this growth.

“In the first two outings, we already touched on a lot of issues that we will now be able to look at more in-depth together, trying to get the best performance out of our very young project.”

Meanwhile, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro will fill in for Pramac Racing rookie Jorge Martin at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, as the rookie is injured.

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