Aprilia: Gear-driven cam ban doesn't frighten us

Aprilia's pace will not be affected by the decision to ban the gear-driven camshaft, according to team boss Gigi Dall'Igna.

Ollie Barstow

25 Feb 2011

Aprilia Team, Australian WSBK Test 21-22 Feb 2011
© Gold and Goose

Aprilia team manager Gigi Dall'Igna says he is unfazed by the decision not to allow his team to continue using its controversial gear-driven cam shaft in the 2011 World Superbike Championship.

The feature drew criticism from rival teams when it was introduced to the RSV-4 mid-way through the 2010 season, prompting officials to ban it for 2011.

However, while those rivals attribute it to the bike's dominance at times during its title-winning season, Dall'Igna points out that five wins - half of its total over the course of the year - were still achieved using the original configuration.

As such, he is unconcerned about the rule changes and is confident the bike will be similarly competitive when action gets underway this weekend.

"We have adjusted to the new rule," he said.." But I want to remind you that Biaggi and the RSV4 dominated even when we had adopted the original configuration with the chain drive.

"The double win at Portimao and Monza - a track where the engine really counts for a lot - and even the final victory at Magny Cours were earned without the much protested gear-driven cam. This seems to me to be that this rule change does not frighten us."