PICS: Marco Bezzecchi debuts new Aprilia aero at Sepang MotoGP
Marco Bezzecchi debuted another Aprilia aero update during Friday practice for the Sepang MotoGP.
Ducati may have recently joined MotoGP title rival Aprilia in running rear swingarm aero ‘boards’ on the side of Marc Marquez's Desmosedici, but the Noale manufacturer took things a step further on Friday at Sepang.
Marco Bezzecchi appeared on the Malaysian track with yet another swingarm add-on, located below the previous panel at the rear of the bike (see main picture).
It's yet another illustration that, although the current machines have just four rounds remaining before the new 850cc era, Aprilia is still pushing ahead with development in a bid to secure the final 1000cc crown.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, who leads the standings by ten points from injured Aprilia rider Jorge Martin, again seemed to favour the Aprilia-style swingarm aero that first appeared on his Desmosedici a week ago in Australia.
“For me, an engineer, a rider, a person - you cannot be arrogant and only [use] your ideas. Sometimes you can learn from the others, sometimes the others can learn from you,” Marquez had said of Ducati appearing to ‘copy’ Aprilia.
“I don't feel that they copy and paste. In the end, this is competition; everybody is looking, even me as a rider, at what the others are doing to try to perform better.”
The swingarm aero used by Aprilia and Ducati is thought to aid rear grip during cornering.
Marquez was fastest in both Friday sessions at Sepang, with Ai Ogura the leading Aprilia in third.
Bezzecchi was sixth quickest, while injured team-mate Martin was 21st and last after ending the afternoon session early to rest his injured wrist.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
