Aprilia confirm their withdrawal from MotoGP 2005
By blue2bikes
November 29 2004
It has been announced by the CEO of Piaggio, Rocco Sabelli, that Aprilia will not continue with their MotoGP program - although the race program for the 125cc and 250cc classes will still remain.
These are two very important classes, as they allow young up-and-coming riders get their chance to climb the grand prix ladder. An agreement earlier this year was reached between the major manufacturers to keep these classes going, because to lose them would restrict the progress of young riders coming through. And there would be even less progress with the two-stroke market, which sells the largest number of motorcycles to the general public.
The reasons for Aprilia’s MotoGP withdrawal were that they considered it was not economical or competitive, and certainly not a positive affect on their commercial activity. “We will study the possibility to re-enter the World Superbike class very soon,” stated Rocco.
The big cubed bike never did produce the results they were looking for, without even one podium out of 48 Grand Prix starts. Rocco went on to say that, “To stay in MotoGP could be costly and damage our firm.”
Shane Byrne on the 2003 Ducati Superbike - photo by Raceline photography
So what now for our British riders, Jeremy McWilliams and Shane Byrne, who have recently tested the new Aprilia with what appeared to be positive results from their winter testing?
To buy the photograph shown above, visit Raceline Photography