Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1521822
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P147 Now 22, Aleix was picked up for Sito Pons's Moto2 team. As injury robbed stunning newcom- er Marc Marquez of a maiden title, a single podium put Aleix 12th overall, one point ahead of younger brother Pol, a class rookie. In 2012, a salvation of a sort with Aprilia. But it was not a sought-after ride. To curb fac - tory-team excesses and boost grid numbers Dorna had opened MotoGP to production-based CRT (Claiming Rule Teams) bikes. Aprilia took advantage of their successful Superbike. But not under their own name. It was called ART for Aprilia Rac - ing Team. Aleix and the ART easily domi- nated the outclassed rag-tag CRT field for two years, finishing 11th and 12th. If that wasn't say- ing much, it was all he could do. It secured a future but no factory ride. He spent 2014 with Forward Yamaha—using leased factory equipment in another short-lived grid-filling "Open" category. It was the next best thing, and it went well—a best- yet seventh overall, pole at As - sen, and first podium, second in a bike-swap wet race at Aragon. Then Suzuki returned for 2015, and Aleix's long-sought factory contract dream finally came true, alongside rising star Maverick Vinales. Aleix claimed 10 top-10 finishes that year with a best of sixth, outpointing Maverick for another 11th overall. Things could only get better. But not for Aleix. Vinales claimed Suzuki's first new-gen - eration win, but to a bewildered Aleix's outspoken dismay, he was dropped at the end of 2016. Aprilia had rejoined MotoGP in 2015 and was struggling for results and to attract strong riders. But it was a full factory team. Aleix jumped at it. Success took five more years with a management reshuffle and a major redesign. Aleix was there through the thin times and forged a relationship of mutual respect and obvious affection. The results remained disap - pointing, but the bike got better. Not least because of the experienced Aleix's input. The chassis improved, and aerodynamics eventually over- took Ducati. Most importantly, 2020's new engine switched from a trademark narrow-angle (72-degree) V4 to the class- standard 90 degrees. There were teething prob - lems, but by 2022, the RS GP was, "The best bike I've ever ridden," he said. At only the third round, Aleix took his and the marque's first victory in Argen - tina, beating Martin, the Suzukis of Rins and Mir (satisfying) and eventual champion Bagnaia in the dry. He led the champion - ship and stayed in contention until the closing stages. A sweet-handling bike, espe- cially good at fast, sweeping corners, brought two more wins since then at Silverstone and Catalunya, plus two Sprints at the latter track. Another fillip was his new teammate, Vinales. Your team- mate is always the first person you must beat. Reviving their earlier Suzuki partnership, Aleix was his mentor, and Maverick, recovering from his Yamaha slump, was an added spur. Aleix, 35 in July, has called a stop at the end of the year, ending the career of a rider who for years was easy to forget and hard to take seriously. Or, put another way—it is easy to underestimate by the narrowest of margins. CN FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS, AFTER USHERING APRILIA TO THE TOP STEP OF THE PODIUM, ALEIX WAS FINALLY TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.