Maverick Vinales to make Aprilia debut at Misano test

Aprilia has announced that its 2022 MotoGP signing Maverick Vinales will ride the RS-GP for the first time during a two-day test at Misano, starting on August 31.

The private test had previously been reserved for Andrea Dovizioso and Aprilia has confirmed to Crash.net that the Italian, increasingly linked with a satellite Yamaha seat, will not be joining Vinales at Misano.

"From a technical point of view, it is always fascinating to listen to the impressions of a rider who is testing your bike for the first time. Especially with a champion like Maverick, who we are pleased to welcome into the Aprilia Racing family," said Aprilia technical manager Romano Albesiano.

"After the great work carried out on the track by the racing department over the last two years, we are adding yet another piece to the path of growth that we are undertaking with encouraging results.

"Clearly the first approach involves a very practical adaptation phase, in terms of ergonomics and setup, which we know vary for each rider. But I'm sure that Maverick's talent and speed will come to the fore right away and I can't wait to start working together".

Having split from Yamaha with immediate effect following his suspension in Austria, and depending on the outcome of the Misano test, it is thought that Vinales could make a race debut for Aprilia before the end of this season.

Aprilia described the debut test as the start of 'Maverick's integration into the new structure that will accompany him throughout the 2022 season, a gradual approach to the improved harmony that is essential in such an extraordinary championship as modern MotoGP'.