After impressing in this week’s three-day private World Superbike test at Jerez (Monday through Wednesday) Aprilia has finally gotten around announcing – as it was widely expected – that Sylvain Guintoli will be part of their factory team effort next season, replacing the now retired Max Biaggi.
The 30-year old French rider will be joining Eugene Laverty in the team that took both the 2012 riders championship and the constructors titles.
Guintoli won three races in 2012 – one with the very troubled Effenbert Liberty team and two with Pata Ducati and finished seventh in the overall standings.
“I am very happy especially because the feeling with the RSV4 has been good right from the first few metres.
To be able to sit in the saddle of the world champion bike is a great opportunity for me – one of the most important in my career.
I think the bike has extremely high potential, as we’ve seen in the past few years, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to put in some excellent results with it”, said Guintoli.
Gigi Dall’Igna, technical and sport director of Aprilia Racing: “Sylvain is a great addition to our team and we were very keen to have him.
His excellent first contact with the RSV4 during the tests held at Jerez were also encouraging.
He proved to be a fast and solid rider straight away.
He and Laverty will make a team to be reckoned with.
We’re preparing for the new season now.
We have the world champion bike and two capable riders who always aim for top results, so I think we’ll have fun”.
