RIDER INTERVIEW
# AragonGP
Fernandez spectacularly led the Sprint in Barcelona before an unfortunate crash out and has qualified on the front row twice this year . And it ’ s not just that ; he has signed a deal to stay with Trackhouse Aprilia – new to MotoGP™ next year – for two years that will see him remain in the squad until 2026 .
“ I am really happy to remain with the team ,” he said on the eve of the British GP . “ I think the key was to try and continue with this project and with Aprilia . Since Davide ( Brivio – Team Principle ) arrived at the team something changed and I started having fun on the bike and tried to enjoy ( it more than I did before ).
“ I feel like there was an important moment and when I saw that since Qatar we worked well and I think it was my best moment in MotoGP . I am really happy as I will have a new challenge for next year as we will have another two strong riders so it is a really good target and chance for me so I am happy to continue with Davide and Aprilia .”
Fernandez competed in the first nine races aboard Aprilia ’ s yearold RS-GP . But thanks to the considerable efforts of Team Owner Justin Marks , Fernandez now has a full 2024 Aprilia RS-GP for the final eleven races of the season .
“ Already in tests I have tried the new bike . At the Jerez Test I remembered it was more or less the same . But in my case , it was not the same as Ducati where we had another ‘ 23 bike on the grid to try to compare data and understand some situations .
“ Sometimes we had to look at the data from last year to understand some things so now it is not an excuse , I will have the same data as the factory riders and Miguel . Now it is time to be clear and to try and do my maximum and now it is clear if we have some problems , we can check the data and we will see faster solutions .”
Aragon was always a great circuit for Raul in Moto2™ . Now to see if he can kick on in the season ’ s second half .
Gran Premio GoPro de Aragón | 59