Aprilia to make 2016 MotoGP return after 12-year absence
Aprilia has announced it will return to MotoGP in 2016, 12 years after last racing as a manufacturer in the category
Roberto Colaninno, chairman of Aprilia owner Piaggio Group, confirmed the marque's plans on Tuesday at the Milan Bike Show.
"In 2016 Aprilia will return to MotoGP to win and match the success it had in [World] Superbikes," Colaninno is quoted as saying by Reuters.
"We've got two years of work ahead of us."
While Aprilia's last season in grand prix racing yielded little success - it finished sixth in the 2004 constructors' championship with just 39 points - it has gone on to enjoy massive success in World Superbikes, winning the 2009 and '11 manufacturers' titles.
It also helped Max Biaggi to his two WSBK crowns.
Aprilia machinery has dominated MotoGP's CRT class for the past two seasons, with Aspar's Aleix Espargaro finishing as the category's top rider both years.
The Italian manufacturer suffered a blow last month, however, when its highly-regarded racing boss Luigi Dall'Igna - who had been instrumental to that World Superbike success - was appointed as Ducati Corse's new manager.
Aprilia's return means MotoGP could potentially boast five manufacturers in 2016, with Suzuki having confirmed its own return one year earlier in 2015.
Share Or Save This Story
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
The data behind Russell’s engine software issue that caused his Hungarian GP slow start
United Formula Ford battles add European flavour to USA Snetterton 300 event
Red Bull appoints Lagrue as junior driver chief after Mercedes F1 exit
Dome-led group launches bid to build next Super Formula car
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments