Thanks to Espargaro’s efforts since 2017, the RS-GP has become one of the grid’s best packages, with the Spaniard having won three times on it since 2022 and Maverick Vinales taking victory at the Americas Grand Prix in April.
Both Espargaro and Vinales are on expiring deals, though it wasn’t inconceivable to see both signing new contracts beyond 2024.
A darling of Aprilia management, Vinales is more than likely to stay put at the Italian marque given the success he is now finding on the bike after several years of toil.
Opinion: How Espargaro “silenced many mouths” during his underdog MotoGP career
Who replaces Espargaro is a new interesting subplot in the 2025 rider market saga that is currently dominated by the destinies of Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez within the Ducati stable.
There are a number of riders facing uncertain futures who stand as strong options for Aprilia in 2025. Autosport looks at five key figures who could fit the bill.
Bastianini has not been good enough to fend off Marquez and Martin, both of whom are keen on his factory Ducati ride
Photo by: Marc Fleury
The four-time grand prix winner currently occupies the factory team Ducati seat that either Jorge Martin or Marc Marquez will take over in 2025.
Despite a solid start to the 2024 campaign, with Bastianini fourth in the standings after a brace of podiums in Portugal and America, the Italian simply hasn’t been good enough for Ducati to justify alienating Martin or legitimately say he is more deserving than Marquez.
Bastianini was dealt an unfortunate hand last year when he stepped up to the factory team owing to the numerous injury woes he faced, and so his market value hasn’t crashed through the floor.
Though Sky Italy has reported links between Bastianini and Tech3 GasGas, the rider’s manager Carlo Pernat told Motosa.es that he has been in negotiations with Aprilia.
From an optics point of view, Aprilia would gain much by having a strong Italian rider on one of its factory bikes, not to mention the competitive edge Bastianini would bring with him.
A strength of Bastianini’s, according to former Gresini crew chief Alberto Giribuola, is how he is able to drive out of corners; traction is a major strength of the RS-GP, so the adaptation process may not take long.
Jorge Martin
If Martin cannot land a factory Ducati ride, Aprilia could be an appealing alternative option
Photo by: MotoGP
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