MotoGP: Massimo Rivola: Raul Fernandez a ‘super talent, I wanted to sign him for a long time’

After watching him put together one of the best Moto2 seasons ever before struggling at Tech 3 KTM in his rookie MotoGP campaign, Aprilia CEO, Massimo Rivola, has finally got his hands on ‘super talent’ Raul Fernandez.
Raul Fernandez, Aprilia MotoGP Valencia 2022
Raul Fernandez, Aprilia MotoGP Valencia 2022

While the likes of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Remy Gardner and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Darryn Binder waved goodbye to MotoGP after difficult rookie seasonಌs, Fernandez was given an unlikely opportunity despite also struggling throughout the year. 

In what could arguably be an even better opportunity than the one he had at KTM based on Aprilia’s level of performance in 2022, Fernandez will line-up alongside four-time MotoGP race winner 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Miguel Oliveira, who also makes the switc🔴h to the new RNF Aprilia tea♛m from KTM. 

🍸Set to compete on a year-old RS-GP22, a machine that should see him fight for regular points finishes, Fernandez will be expected to perform mꦿuch better than his rookie season.

Speaking about the addition of Fernandez, who Rivola was keen to sign prior to him joining MotoGP, the Aprilia CEO, said: "After Raul's first Moto2 race🌠, I visited his family. So I can say that I've wantඣed to sign him for a long time because I think he's a great talent. 

"I don't think he showed his talent at꧙ KTM for a number of reasons. I think our bike can suit him🅠 better because of his style."

But Rivola was also quick to warn that Fernandez must adapt: "Even if you are a super talent, you have to adapt to what you have. He didn't show that last season but I still believe h🗹e can do it. I think he will need some time. 

"If you show a season like he did iওn Moto2 and then follow a MotoGP seaso🉐n like that, you might get a bit confused: who am I, the good guy or the bad guy?

"The potential is there. How y⛄ou then line up all the building blocks correctly is another stꦕory." 

Although Rivola is keen to see Fernandez’s talent lead to impressive results at Aprilia, there’s no guarantee that it will as the level in MotoGP is at an all-time high, thus making it more and more challenging f🍌or rookies to stand out.

One rider who managed to do that in 2022 was Ducati’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marco Bezzecchi, who didn’t take Moto2 by storm as opposed to Fernandez⛄, but managed to transition very well to the premier class.

Marco Bezzecchi , MotoGP race, Malaysian MotoGP, 23 October
Marco Bezzecchi , MotoGP race, Malaysian MotoGP, 23 October

Potentially aiding Fernandez’s development will be the riders already in the fold at Aprilia, as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Aleix Espargaro, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Maverick Vinales and Oliveir🍷a will all be expected to achieve significant results.

That means Fernandez won’t have the pressure of delivering right ꦅaway, while he will also be able to learn from those with greater experience. 

"We have to gಞive ourselves a bit of time without forcing it," added Rivola. "I think the other three - Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira - will be very quick. 

"So he will have a good example by his side. Heꦯ's very young, he has time. We believe in him and RNF believes in him very much."

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