#ValenciaTest. The off-season is around the corner and after saying goodbye to Enea Bastianini, Team Gresini MotoGP has started the road to 2023 with the new rider duo of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. Both standard bearers got to grip today with the 2022-spec Ducati Desmosedici machine. 

Expectations were high especially for the Spaniard, who made his on-track debut aboard Ducati machinery. The #73 had a steady and safe approach: with a total of 73 completed and a best personal lap of 1’30.712secs, he was not far from the top of the timesheets. It was more of a shakedown for him, with the former LCR rider who worked exclusively on the feeling with the bike and the electronics.  

On the other side of the garage, Fabio Di Giannantonio started the working relationship with his new crew chief Frankie Carchedi. It was an important day for the #49 on many areas: he completed a significant number of laps especially with used tyres in order to find immediately a competitive set-up ahead of next season, with a special focus on electronics and rear brake. He finished 6^th quickest with a total of 68 laps completed.

6^th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’30.483s)
“It was probably my best day since I made my MotoGP debut. The new bike is fantastic and I was feeling better in every area where I was struggling before. Now we’ll enter the off-season with great excitement. We’ll try to keep both feet on the ground and work hard to be ready for Sepang. It was immediately a great feeling with Carchedi and looks like results are already coming.”

14^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’30.712s)
“It was an exciting first day and I must say I really had fun on the bike. There is a great atmosphere in the team and I felt comfortable straight away – I was already half Italian so… Ducati supported me from the first moment and it’s going to be a long winter before jumping back on the bike. We want to do a good job and arrive in good form at Portimao.”

THIS BLACK SUNDAY DOES NOT CANCEL OUT THE SEASON WHERE APRILIA MADE A GREAT LEAP FORWARD IN ALL THE STANDINGS ACHIEVING THE BEST RESULTS EVER IN THE PREMIER CLASS

The MotoGP season did not end as hoped (and probably deserved) for Aprilia. Both Espargaró and Viñales stopped due to technical problems, probably fuel draught for Aleix and at the front of the bike for Maverick. These are problems that had not occurred throughout the weekend where, to the contrary, both riders demonstrated an outstanding pace and started from good positions, but where they were kept from battling for the desired results in the championship standings.

In Valencia, Aprilia ends the season of their first world championship win, a total of nine podium finishes and two pole positions, with records set in terms of points and placements. Never before, in their brief history, had Aprilia risen so high in the premier class.

Aleix Espargaró
“Battling for third place was a dream for me, something historic, especially with the current level of the championship. I think it would have been possible but unfortunately, a technical problem forced me to withdraw. It’s a pity after the season we had. I gave it my all from the first to the last race and I have no regrets. That’s racing – things don’t always go the way you expect them to. Now we need to continue working because next season represents a new opportunity to do well.”

Maverick Viñales
“What happened is a real pity. We had the pace and rhythm to battle for the very top positions but I had a problem with the front of the bike and my race ended there. We’ve done a lot this season but we need to improve. I had problems in the early stages of the season finding the right settings and then again in the finale. We need to work hard and learn from this season.”

Massimo Rivola – Aprilia Racing CEO
“We are angry and disappointed. Evaluating our season, we should look at the glass as half full, but it’s hard for me to do that today. We had goals that were within our potential and deserved, such as third place for Aleix and second in the Constructors and Teams standings. Extraordinary results that would have been the just rewards for the hard work done by all of Aprilia Racing but evidently we are still not accustomed to battling consistently for the highest objectives. In order to do that, we need to learn to always be perfect, on the track and in Noale. Our championship season is still important and represents an exceptional base of results from which to resume. The last race does not change the certainty that we made a huge step forward and we’ll be back in 2023 to try again with four bikes on the track and renewed ambitions. Now I’d like to congratulate Ducati and Bagnaia for their season and say goodbye to Suzuki, in the hopes that we’ll see them again in the future."

Romano Albesiano - Aprilia Racing Technical Director
“The 2022 bike turned out to be a potentially victorious project. What happened in the last part of the season should be the starting point to improve on every aspect of our work, from the design of the new RS-GP all the way to managing it in the race. However, we are finishing the season with results that few would have thought possible for us at the season start. It was precisely the highly competitive level of the bike and our riders that brought to light the aspects where we need to improve in order to be consistently at the top. This is our goal for the season that will begin in two days.”

IN THE DECISIVE QUALIFYING SESSION MAVERICK, WEAKENED WITH FEVER, GRITS HIS TEETH TO TAKE A NICE SPOT ON THE SECOND ROW

FOURTH ROW FOR ALEIX, STILL A CONTENDER FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM

The Saturday in Valencia ahead of the final MotoGP championship race was decidedly positive for the Aprilia colours. After some struggles on Friday where both riders were outside the top ten, both Aleix and Maverick regained control of the situation. Aleix began, doing the sixth time in the morning FP3 session which sent him straight through to the qualifiers with the top riders.
Maverick, on the other hand, didn’t manage to go straight through but redeemed himself in the first qualifying round, beating out all his rivals and also going through to the session that decides who will start from the front rows.

Although far from being in his best physical shape due to a fever that tormented him throughout the day, Maverick was able to further improve in the final Q2 qualifying session, doing a fantastic time of 1’29.995 which earned him a spot on the second row of the starting grid (sixth-best time) for the race tomorrow.

Aleix, who had demonstrated even more confidence than his teammate in the morning session, struggled a bit more to do a good lap, finishing with the tenth time (1’30.124). His hunt for a position on the championship podium will start from the fourth row tomorrow as he is currently lying third in the overall standings.

In the race tomorrow, Aprilia Racing will also be chasing a prominent spot both in the Constructor and Team championship standings. In both categories, the Italian manufacturer is currently second – demonstration of their fantastic season and by far the best one yet in Aprilia’s brief history.

Aleix Espargaró
“I must say that we did a really good job between yesterday and today. In fact, I now feel rather good in terms of pace. I was unable to find a good lap in qualifying and that’s a pity because the spot on the starting grid doesn’t fully reflect our level. In any case, I’m optimistic for the race. We’ll do the best we possibly can to finish out this great season.”

Maverick Viñales
"Today was not an easy day for me. Since yesterday I’ve had a fever that has left me rather weak but I still battled and in the end we managed to take a good step forward and, most importantly, we had good qualifiers. It is important for us to continue improving and working. I’ll try to get some rest now and be in good form for tomorrow."

Suzuki has given its small capacity range a boost with the unveiling of three new 125cc scooters, with the new Address 125, Avenis 125, and Burgman Street 125EX revealed today at Intermot in Cologne, Germany.

All three are engineered to provide comfort, practicality, and outstanding urban performance while also delivering excellent levels of economy and efficiency, but they do so in their own way and with their own style, giving customers the option to enjoy their city, their way.

Engine 

The proven Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) engine sits at the heart of all three machines, though the Burgman Street 125EX uses the latest αlpha iteration. The air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant currently powers over five million Suzukis worldwide, and is the forward-looking engine development concept from Suzuki, which results in an outstanding level of environmentally responsible performance, both in terms of low fuel consumption and low emissions. 

All three models achieve an impressive 148.67mpg figure and produce just 44g/km of CO2 emissions. At the same time, they still deliver powerful acceleration, with peak horsepower and maximum torque delivered at low rpm. 

For the Avenis 125 and Address 125 this is 8.7PS at 6,750rpm and 10Nm at 5,500rpm. The Burgman Street 125EX’s peak power of 8.6PS comes in at 6,500rpm, while peak torque remains the same.

The Burgman Street 125EX, equipped with the SEP-α engine, benefits from extra features which enhance the user experience while at the same time achieving a high levels of fuel economy and quiet operation, including Engine Auto Stop-Start (EASS), a new idling stop system, and Suzuki’s new Silent Start System. 

A

ddress 125 

Inspired by traditional scooter design, the Address 125 boasts classic city style, with curves and attractive body lines punctuated by chrome accents, completed with the classic rounded headlight, which is full LED, as are the position lights and integrated indicators. There’s also a tail-mounted cap, finished in chrome, designed to facilitate easy refuelling and ensure there is no risk of spillages on the floorboard or bags. 

The classic style also extends to the clocks, with an analogue speedometer sat atop a digital display. Wrapping around the speedometer is a handy eco indicator, which illuminates green when the Address 125 is being ridden in an economical manner, encouraging fuel efficient riding. Starting is easy with one push of the button enough to start the engine, thanks to Suzuki’s Easy Start System.

21.8 litres of underseat storage give plenty of storage space, plus an upfront storage pocket gives easy access to frequently used items, above which sits a USB charger for smartphones. Dual utility hooks provide extra security for transporting bags or other items. There are also two underseat hooks which can secure helmets when parked, which is made even simpler thanks to centre and side stands coming as standard. 

While parked a shutter concealing the ignition key hole provides additional security. To open, an easy-to-operate magnet mechanism is coded to the owner’s key. It also includes a seat opener that eliminates the need to remove the key to access the underseat utility compartment. 

With a ready-to-ride weight of 105kg it is easy to handle and highly manoeuvrable. The Address’ underbone frame is built using large-diameter, thin, round tubes, designed to minimise weight while maximising rigidity and also to provide excellent straight-line stability and positive cornering performance. 

Stopping power comes from a 190mm diameter disc brake in the front and a 120mm drum brake in the rear, while a combined braking system ensures a stable braking performance by distributing force to both the front and rear wheels when the left brake lever is operated. 

The Address 125 rides on a short wheelbase that contributes to ease of manoeuvrability and works in conjunction with the light, slim design to offer easier, more agile handling. The slim design, low seat height and seat shape help make it easy to place both feet on the ground. 

Avenis 125 

Providing sporty city fun, the Avenis 125 aims to balance performance, style, and practicality; sharp, aggressive looks complement edgy, and dynamic lines, with an upswept tail section and stylish front cowling with floating meter visor. Lighting comes from an aggressive, stacked-lens body-mounted LED headlight, plus vertically-oriented LED position lights add a striking accent to the face. 

Distinctive graphics on the sides of the front cowl highlight the scooter’s aggressive attitude, and black metallic-finish emblems add a sophisticated touch. 

A sporty two-tone seat with attractive red stitching is firm yet comfortable, with ample padding and a richly textured surface that provides a secure grip when riding. In addition, its carefully crafted shape makes it easy for the rider to put both feet on the ground when stopped, along with cutaway footboards. 

A digital instrument panel for the Avenis 125 features a compact LCD screen with a clean and intuitive layout, and it also gets a handy eco indicator light to highlight fuel efficient operation by the rider. 

The chassis comprises an underbone frame that contributes to the Avenis 125’s fuel efficiency, excellent straight-line stability, and positive cornering performance. As well as a short wheelbase and semi-soft front suspension settings that provide a smooth and comfortable ride, along with a rear shock that is finely tuned to deliver solid road-holding performance, and agile handling. 

Similar to the Address 125, Suzuki’s Combined Brake System supports well-balanced braking by distributing braking force to both the front and rear wheels when the left brake lever is operated. Hardware features a 190mm diameter disc brake at the front and a 120mm drum brake at the rear. 

Practicality comes from 21.5 litres of underseat storage – with two helmet hooks – dual utility hooks for carrying extra items, an open upfront pocket and one shutable compartment housing a USB charging port. Like the Address 125, a shutter concealing the ignition key hole can be opened quickly, using an easy-to-operate magnet mechanism coded to the owner’s key. There’s also a standard fit centre stand a side stand. Riders can also lock the rear brake via a switch on the left lever, when parking. 

Burgman Street 125EX 

The Burgman Street 125EX is the smart city commuter, tailored to excel and brings a new level of elegant style and performance. It stands out with its fusion of class, style, performance, comfort, practicality, and convenience. 

Comfort is taken care of with a long, well-padded seat. Generously proportioned floorboards allow flexibility in foot positioning to maintain a comfortable riding position, while extended footboards up front let the rider extend their legs for greater comfort when cruising. 

The look of luxury and sophistication is created with elegant lines and a sense of volume from its striking bodywork to the red stitching on the seat, distinctive lighting and integrated turn signals, and attention to detail. 

A clean LCD dash displays information to the rider, including the eco indicator light, as well as an indicator for the Engine Auto Stop-Start (EASS). 

Like the Avenis, there are 21.5 litres of underseat storage and two helmet hooks, plus two utility hooks for carrying extra items.  It also features a closable front compartment with a USB charging port and an additional easy access front storage compartment, next to which is the ignition key slot which can be covered using a magnet mechanism coded to the owner’s key. 

A longer wheelbase provides impeccable great straight line stability and gives a solid, planted feel and comfortable ride. A firmer suspension setup for the front suspension helps achieve a smooth ride quality, with the spring rate and operation of the front forks optimised for the front wheel weight distribution. Settings for both the forks and rear suspension are finely tuned to the tyres and wheels to achieve a fine balance of stability, road-holding performance, agile handling, and a comfortable ride, even when passing over uneven surfaces. 

With a longer wheelbase, strong braking performance is maintained thanks to a larger diameter drum brake, at 130mm. It also gets a combined brake system to modulate braking force between the front and rear wheels when using the left brake lever.