Fabiano Sterlacchini will begin his role as technical director for Aprilia Racing during the 2024 MotoGP season in Malaysia. His appointment follows the impending departure of Romano Albesiano to Honda, with Albesiano remaining until the Valencia finale to ensure a smooth transition. Sterlacchini’s prior experience spans significant tenures at both Ducati and KTM, and his arrival coincides with changes in Aprilia’s rider lineup for the coming season.
Fabiano Sterlacchini is set to assume his responsibilities as the technical director for Aprilia Racing, marking his inaugural appearance with the team during the penultimate round of the 2024 MotoGP season in Malaysia. His appointment follows the decision of Romano Albesiano, the current technical chief, to depart for Honda, which will take effect at the conclusion of the current season. To ensure a seamless transition, Albesiano will remain involved until the Valencia finale, during which he will yield some of his duties to Sterlacchini in order for him to acclimatize to the team and get familiarized with the garage’s operations. Aprilia Racing has clarified that Sterlacchini will join the team in an observer capacity at the upcoming race in Sepang, allowing him to take stock of the operations and commence preparations for the future. As noted by Maverick Vinales, an Aprilia Racing rider, despite Albesiano’s absence from the current Thai Grand Prix, the team’s efforts remain focused and unchanged. Vinales remarked upon the steadfast commitment of Albesiano to the team, affirming that there have been no significant disruptions in their ongoing work. The impending arrival of Sterlacchini is especially significant as it heralds a new chapter for Aprilia, which will welcome a fresh rider lineup next season. Current MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi are set to join from Ducati, while Vinales transitions to the Tech3 KTM team and Aleix Espargaro takes on a role as a test rider with Honda following his retirement from active competition. Prior to joining Aprilia, Sterlacchini had a brief tenure at KTM as head of its engineering department. His previous experience includes a 17-year term at Ducati, where he effectively rose to the position of MotoGP technical director. Sterlacchini’s move to Aprilia represents not only a new beginning for him but also a strategic evolution for the Aprilia team as they strive to enhance their competitive edge in MotoGP.
Fabiano Sterlacchini’s appointment as Aprilia’s technical director follows the announcement that Romano Albesiano will be leaving the team to take on a new position with Honda. The timing of Sterlacchini’s introduction is intentional, as it allows him to familiarize himself with the Aprilia team’s operations before the upcoming seasons. Sterlacchini’s prior experience at both KTM and Ducati equips him with substantial expertise in the features of MotoGP, which will be pivotal for Aprilia as they finalize their new rider line-up to enhance their competitive performance.
In summary, Fabiano Sterlacchini’s upcoming role as technical director for Aprilia Racing represents a pivotal turn for the Italian manufacturer as they prepare for a refreshed team dynamic in the 2024 MotoGP season. His collaboration with Romano Albesiano, who remains until Valencia, will ensure crucial continuity within the team’s performance efforts, as Aprilia aims to build on its existing foundation in the competitive MotoGP environment. As the team transitions, Sterlacchini’s seasoned background from both Ducati and KTM will be instrumental in steering Aprilia toward greater success in the future.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
