Aprilia: Engine, aero changes for 'extreme' Austria

The Aprilia RS-GPs of Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl will feature engine and aerodynamic changes to cope with the 'extreme' characteristics of this weekend's Austrian MotoGP.

"We are taking on a decidedly particular track, where the stop-and-go concept is taken to an extreme," Aprilia Racing manager Romano Albesiano said of the Red Bull Ring, which is hosting its first motorcycle grand prix since 1997.

"The braking and acceleration performance of the bike is therefore crucial, which is why we will be taking a better engine configuration to Austria, as well as an aerodynamic package aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag.

"Precisely because of the characteristics of the track, we will be using settings that are abnormal compared to the standard ones. This will allow us to explore some very different and, from certain points of view, extreme solutions."

With peak power not the RS-GP's strong point, Bautista - who unlike Bradl took part in the recent private test, albeit without a timing transponder - confirmed he is hoping for 'some news' on the engine front:

"We did a good job in the tests, finding a few solutions that will be useful for the race. We will also need a great engine and maybe there will be some news on that front for this race...

"Physically I am doing very well. I have been training, but I also relaxed a bit during the break. The top 10 is by now our goal for every race, although at the Red Bull Ring it will be harder than on other tracks, but we will give it our best shot."

Bradl meanwhile will be returning to action after being ruled out of his home German race by a concussion in warm-up. But with Austria not far away, he now gets a second chance to ride in front of plenty of German fans.

"This will be my first race in Austria, a round that I am anxiously looking forward to because many German fans will be there to support me, since it is so close," he said. "I know the track even though I was unable to be there for the tests.

"The summer break was perfect. I am back to 100% fitness after the crash on the Sachsenring. In the second part of the season it will be important to continue on the same path that we have already begun, putting forth our best efforts in every race.

"We know that the Austrian circuit is not one of the more favourable ones for us on paper, but in any case we can do a good job on the RS-GP."

Bradl finished the first half of the season holding 15th in the world championship, with Bautista 15th.