Aprilia Moto GP News

Aprilia's new MotoGP bike will not join the rest of the field until the third and final pre-season test in Qatar in March. The Gresini-run factory team has built an all-new machine for 2016 as it ramps up its programme after what was effectively a development season last year using an upgraded version of the ART bike designed for the Open class. MotoGP winter testing kicks off at Sepang next week, but works Aprilia riders Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl will continue to use the 'lab' development bike for the three days at the Malaysian Grand Prix venue. The 2016 bike is set for a shakedown run with test rider Mike di Meglio at Aragon on February 10-11, before making its full debut in a private test at Losail in Qatar during the following week. Aprilia will therefore skip the full-field Phillip Island test before going up against its rivals for the first time in the last winter test at Losail on March 2-4.