A faithful visitor to the MotoGP paddock and observer of the Grands Prix, three decades after the most prosperous period of his own career, Kevin Schwantz sees in the upcoming arrival of Jorge Martín at Aprilia a real opportunity for the manufacturer to seize. The Spaniard has only one month left on the Ducati before discovering the RS-GP on November 19, during the first test of the off-season. It is unknown at the moment whether he will arrive with the world champion #1 to be affixed to the bike, but Schwantz has no doubt that whatever happens he will bring new life and great potential.
“I think Aprilia did a great job [en mettant] Martín sur la moto”, observes the American. Questioned by the official MotoGP website, he wants to be reassuring about the total line-up renewal that Aprilia will face with the departure of Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales.
“Aleix did a good job, he developed well [la moto]Maverick too. When it’s on point, it’s the best bike on the track. We saw it at COTA this year: the Aprilia was the bike that dominated, almost from the first test session. points out Schwantz, referring to the victory won by Viñales, but which has not yet been followed up.
“Maybe with the right rider… I’m not saying Maverick isn’t the right person, but with someone like Martín on the bike, someone maybe a little more motivated, a little bit faster, having a little more desire to push their limits, I think there will be no limits for Aprilia and it is obvious that they can be among the candidates for the title”, believes the 1993 world champion.
Big expectations with the Bagnaia-Márquez duo
In the American’s eyes, however, competition will be strong next season, with two other transfers standing out. First, that of Pedro Acosta who, after his rookie year, takes over the management of the KTM factory team and intends to benefit from the reorganization taking place internally.
“I think Pedro has the potential to be one of the candidates, that’s for sure. He’s young, he’s fiery,” he describes. “I see a lot of myself in Pedro and I think if he continues to mature and get faster and faster, his racing abilities make him a world champion, for sure.”
Jorge Martín and Pedro Acosta are among the drivers that Kevin Schwantz can’t wait to see in action in 2025.
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
And then, there is the promotion that has not escaped anyone, that of Marc Márquez who will join the official Ducati team and have the most advanced equipment designed by Borgo Panigale after an already more than convincing transition season. Alongside Pecco Bagnaia, a double or even triple world champion, the Spaniard is not coming to make up the numbers.
“There is going to be a rivalry in the team, a competition. Bastianini offered good competition for Bagnaia on some tracks but I think Marquez will push him every weekend,” anticipe Schwantz.
“It’s definitely going to be a great team, that’s for sure. Having them both in the same pit, with both drivers being as fast as possible and contributing, it’s going to be interesting. I think it’s going to continue to develop Ducati and their advantage They will still have satellite bikes too, but the competition between Marc and Pecco will clearly continue next season and it will be interesting.
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