IN
THE
WIND
P40
Roberts Turns Aprilia Down
A
prilia's search for a replace-
ment for Andrea Iannone
bore no fruit as it was denied
several of its key targets. Chief
among them was Moto2 race
winner Marco Bezzecchi, whose
Sky Racing VR46 team blocked
a possible step up to MotoGP.
Then there was Joe Roberts.
The Californian was a surprise
target after Aprilia identified him
as a candidate thanks to his
much-improved performances
in 2020. The fact that Roberts
would have become the first
American to gain a full-time ride
in the premier class since Nicky
Hayden in 2015 was another
draw.
A spokesman for Aprilia said
negotiations were "most ad-
vanced" with him than any other
rider. Aleix Espargaro even went
as far as talking him up over the
weekend.
"Actually, I was in Qatar this
year, in the paddock and then I
watched the races and sincerely
he impressed me," Espargaro
said. "He was very, very strong.
Joe actually has not a lot of
experience here, so it looks like
he's growing and improving."
But Roberts was far from con-
vinced this was the right move
for this time in his career. Sens-
ing this, Aprilia CEO Massimo
Rivola spent a period during
Sunday trying to convince the
American to come on board.
It didn't work. It is believed
Roberts turned down the move
at the 11th hour. To accept April-
ia's offer would be to leave Ital-
trans, the Moto2 team he signed
for in October, in the lurch at the
last minute. Also, there was his
lack of experience. The one-time
podium finisher felt he would
benefit from a further year in the
intermediate class, where he
could challenge for race wins,
rather than potentially struggle at
the back of MotoGP.
The move means Aprilia will
stick with its two test riders from
2020, Bradley Smith and Loren-
zo Savadori. A release from the
team confirmed it would decide
which of those two would team
up with Espargaro in the team
after the winter test schedule.
Neil Morrison
American Joe
Roberts turned down
a chance to race
MotoGP next with
Aprilia. He wants
another year in Moto2
under his belt before
moving up.
PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE
