Shaman
Well-known member
Remember when Suzuki and Ducati were the only two manufacturers likely to top WSBK lap times? Now this tiny little company from Noale wins two championships and lands 5 bikes into the top 10 on qualifying.
TIMES (Qualifying): 1. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1’31.3; 2. Laverty (Aprilia) 1’31.3 ; 3. Melandri (BMW) 1’31.5; 4. Camier (Suzuki) 1’31.6; 5. Davies (Aprilia) 1’31.6; 6. Haslam (Honda) 1’31.6; 7. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’31.7; 8. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1’31.7; 9. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1’31.8; 10. Rea (Honda) 1’31.8…. 12. Checa (Ducati Alstare) 1’32.0…. 16. Badovini (Ducati Alstare) 1’32.5
Champagne corks are flying tonight in Italy. And not just at Aprilia, Checa once again Checa'd out and got Superpole on the 1199 in the end, but there were still 4 Aprilias in the top 10.
A lot of Aprilias in the MotoGP CRT teams this year too. I've read comments that nobody else should bother to show up, as Aprilia will build you a complete bike at 2012 WSBK spec for about $55K (with TTX shock and NIX forks btw) and the frame adjustability will let you set the bike up to win a top class without parts made from unobtanium. There's also an 8000km life in the motor before it requires a refresh, which isn't bad at all IMHO.
They'll build an AMA spec bike for about $35K, too. I wonder if we'll see any this year...
Anyway, since I'm probably the only one that's going to say it... I'm saying it. Congrats to Aprilia.
TIMES (Qualifying): 1. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1’31.3; 2. Laverty (Aprilia) 1’31.3 ; 3. Melandri (BMW) 1’31.5; 4. Camier (Suzuki) 1’31.6; 5. Davies (Aprilia) 1’31.6; 6. Haslam (Honda) 1’31.6; 7. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’31.7; 8. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1’31.7; 9. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1’31.8; 10. Rea (Honda) 1’31.8…. 12. Checa (Ducati Alstare) 1’32.0…. 16. Badovini (Ducati Alstare) 1’32.5
Champagne corks are flying tonight in Italy. And not just at Aprilia, Checa once again Checa'd out and got Superpole on the 1199 in the end, but there were still 4 Aprilias in the top 10.

A lot of Aprilias in the MotoGP CRT teams this year too. I've read comments that nobody else should bother to show up, as Aprilia will build you a complete bike at 2012 WSBK spec for about $55K (with TTX shock and NIX forks btw) and the frame adjustability will let you set the bike up to win a top class without parts made from unobtanium. There's also an 8000km life in the motor before it requires a refresh, which isn't bad at all IMHO.
They'll build an AMA spec bike for about $35K, too. I wonder if we'll see any this year...

Anyway, since I'm probably the only one that's going to say it... I'm saying it. Congrats to Aprilia.
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