Aprilia is forced to make changes to its MotoGP rider line-up for the 2025 season. Retired Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales, who is moving to KTM, will be replaced by championship leader Jorge Martin and 2023 title contender Marco Bezzecchi. Although some continuity would have been preferable, the new team is considered an improvement.
There is speculation that Aprilia’s satellite team, Trackhouse, will provide the desired continuity. Team principal Massimo Rivola has given some hints about the direction he hopes to see the U.S. satellite team take next year. It should be noted that his position towards current drivers Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira is different.
Trackhouse hasn’t been the center of silly season rumors and speculation. The only names linked to the team so far are 2020 world champion Joan Mir and American Moto2 rider Joe Roberts. Despite the strong bond between new Trackhouse chief Davide Brivio and Mir, there are rumors that Mir will stay at Repsol Honda for another two years. This is surprising given his recent rejection of this option.
While Roberts may seem like a good fit for Team USA, he still needs to prove his worth over a longer period of time. Despite a good start to the 2024 season in the intermediate category, his inconsistent performances in Moto2 raise doubts. Trackhouse owner Justin Marks has made it clear that the team will only promote American talent when they are ready to compete at the highest level, not just based on nationality.
This could be good news for Trackhouse’s current lineup of riders, especially Raul Fernandez. Rivola has always spoken highly of Fernandez, but his praise has intensified recently. Fernandez is the only one of Aprilia’s four riders with a 2023 bike, and Rivola believes he has shown great speed and podium potential.
However, when Rivola was asked about Miguel Oliveira remaining in the team, his response was more ambiguous. Oliveira had a difficult start to the RS-GP season, dealing with multiple injuries caused by other riders. The start of the 2024 season has also been weak for Oliveira, with Fernandez often stealing the spotlight. Rivola claimed the decision to continue with Oliveira was in his and Trackhouse’s hands, not hers.
Rivola acknowledged that the technical issues Trackhouse has faced over the past 18 months have also affected Oliveira’s performance. The team has seen changes since the arrival of Davide Brivio, introducing new engineers and working to build a stronger team. Rivola hopes Trackhouse will find a way to continue with Oliveira, as having the same drivers in the factory and satellite teams would be beneficial. He has confidence that Brivio’s experience will lead to the best decision for the team.
