Fabiano Sterlacchini will begin his role as technical director of Aprilia Racing next week, starting at the Malaysian MotoGP round. His appointment follows the announcement of Romano Albesiano’s move to Honda, though Albesiano will continue to assist until the 2024 season ends. Sterlacchini’s arrival coincides with significant changes in Aprilia’s rider lineup.
Fabiano Sterlacchini is set to assume his new position as technical director of Aprilia Racing, beginning his role at the upcoming penultimate round of the 2024 MotoGP season in Malaysia. This development follows Sterlacchini’s departure from KTM, where he led the engineering department since June 2021. His appointment was officially announced by Aprilia earlier this month, coinciding with the decision of Romano Albesiano, the current technical chief, to transition to Honda for the next season. Although Albesiano will continue to support Aprilia until the conclusion of the 2024 season, he has agreed to allow Sterlacchini to acclimate himself within the team during the Malaysian event. A statement from Aprilia indicated that Sterlacchini’s initial role will be observational, focusing on preparations for his forthcoming responsibilities. “Fabiano will be with us in Malaysia in an observer role, to take notes and start working for the future,” the team spokesperson elaborated. Despite Albesiano’s absence from the Thailand Grand Prix, Aprilia’s rider Maverick Vinales assured fans that operations remain standard. Vinales noted, “The truth is that I haven’t noticed anything strange,” emphasizing that the team continues to focus on optimizing the motorcycle’s performance, a sentiment echoed regarding Albesiano’s ongoing commitment. Sterlacchini’s induction will usher in a new era as Aprilia gears up for a revamped lineup next season, including top competitors Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, both freshly transitioned from Ducati. Meanwhile, Vinales will be joining the Tech3 KTM squad, and Aleix Espargaro is set to become a test rider for Honda following his retirement from competitive racing. Prior to his brief tenure at KTM, Sterlacchini had amassed significant experience during his 17 years with Ducati, ultimately serving as MotoGP technical director.
The announcement of Fabiano Sterlacchini’s appointment as Aprilia’s technical director follows significant transitions within the team, particularly regarding Romano Albesiano’s departure. Sterlacchini’s experience with KTM and Ducati is expected to provide valuable insights and direction as Aprilia prepares for the 2024 MotoGP season with an entirely new rider lineup. Stakeholders and fans await his contributions, especially given the team’s ambitions in the highly competitive MotoGP landscape.
In conclusion, the arrival of Fabiano Sterlacchini as the new technical director of Aprilia Racing marks a significant development for the team as they approach the final stages of the 2024 MotoGP season. Despite the ongoing changes, both the team and its riders remain optimistic about the future, looking to build on their performance and adapt to the evolution of the racing landscape. Sterlacchini’s expertise will be crucial as Aprilia transitions to a new competitive phase.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
