Lorenzo Savadori set for Aprilia return at Silverstone
As speculation continues over when Maverick Vinales will make his Aprilia MotoGP debut, with an upcoming Misano test thought most likely, the factory has confirmed Lorenzo Savadori will return to action at this weekend's Silverstone round.
Savadori underwent surgery on his right ankle after hitting Dani Pedrosa's fallen KTM in the opening Austrian race, the impact between the machines also causing a race-stopping fire.
The Italian - who will be replaced as Aleix Espargaro's team-mate by Vinales in 2022, but is expected to stay at Aprilia as a test and wild-card rider - will undergo a final medical check tomorrow (Thursday).
"I don't know Silverstone well, I haven't raced there since 2013, but it's a fast and very nice circuit," said Savadori.
"The injury is quite recent, tomorrow I'll undergo a check to verify the situation and receive authorisation to race.
"I can't wait to get back on the bike and see how the ankle reacts, both in terms of strength and pain. I'll have to grit my teeth but I'm ready for the weekend."
With Vinales and Yamaha agreeing an immediate divorce following his suspension in Austria, the nine-time MotoGP race winner is expected to make an early Aprilia debut at some stage during the remaining rounds.
While Vinales could replace Savadori, just as Savadori replaced Bradley Smith for the final three rounds of last season, Aprilia is also yet to use any of its six allowed wild-cards (although wild-cards should technically be registered 90-days before the event).
Either way, Aprilia is sure to want at least one test session with Vinales beforehand and a private outing planned for Andrea Dovizioso at Misano from August 31-September 1 is currently rumoured.
Espargaro meanwhile held second place and a potential first podium for the RS-GP during the chaotic closing laps following a downpour at the second Austrian race, but slipped to tenth as those on wet tyres surged past on the final lap.
"When it started to rain, I decided to take the gamble," he said. "I hate to ride in the rain with slicks, but I felt like taking the risk. And I managed until the last lap.
"I braked in the middle of the straight, but the bike didn't stop, both tyres were completely locked. It was a very dangerous, very long final lap.
"But what makes me angry and frustrated is that the guys who were in front of me in the dry race, they were not faster than me. No one. But I can't fight against them for the moment.
"The bike I think now is 90% perfect everywhere, on the brakes, on the acceleration, on the electronics, on the wheelie, on the stability. It's just missing power," he said in Austria.
"So this really makes me frustrated, because I think I'm riding good, the bike is super super good, but in this category right now, you need a strong engine. If not, it's very difficult."
The Spaniard will continue his quest for the RS-GP's first top-five finish at Silverstone, where the more flowing nature of the corners should reduce the acceleration deficit.
"I have missed Silverstone. It's a long and technical track, where you can really exploit the performance of the MotoGP bike," Espargaro said. "The last time we raced there I was pretty competitive in the race and I also think it suits the characteristics of the RS-GP well, so I'm looking forward to getting back on track."
