Espargaro impressed by Aprilia holeshot device
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Keep an eye on Aleix Espargaro at the start of Sunday’s Austrian MotoGP.Aprilia joined Ducati in fitting a holeshot device for last weekend’s Czech Republic race, helping Espargaro progress from 18th to 11th on the opening lap.The Spaniard will now be hoping for a similar boost after qualifying only 19th at the Red Bull Ring.”From Brno, we are trying a different item to improve the start,” Espargaro confirmed. “In Brno I did one of my best starts ever and we will keep using it here [in Austria].”While Ducati’s device – introduced late last season – lowers and locks the rear suspension, the Aprilia design appears to work like a ‘conventional’ motocross-style device; holding down the front suspension to help prevent wheelies off the line.As with Ducati, the Aprilia system is ‘set’ by the rider using a mechanical switch. The suspension is then released to work as normal when the rider brakes for turn one.Honda has used a device similar to Aprilia in the past, but has not yet tested a 2019 version.”From Honda it was not only 15 years ago in Superbike [that we last used a holeshot device], when Alvaro Bautista was riding for Gresini Honda he used to have it. But it was on the front fork,” said HRC Technical Manager Takeo Yokoyama. “We understand the technology and if we need to do it, we will, but until now we have not tested anything.”Likewise, Suzuki MotoGP Project Leader Shinichi Sahara said there is nothing currently on the GSX-RR: “If we find some good idea we will try, but now, no.”
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