Randy de Puniet positive about Aspar Aprilia CRT project – MotoGP news
Randy de Puniet is optimistic about the new 1000cc CRT project with the Aspar team. The team will be using Aprilia RSV-4 engine in the 2012 MotoGP season.
The French rider has signed a deal with the Aspar team and will be teamed with Aleix Espargaro in 2012. Previous he rode for Pramac Racing team, alongside Loris Capirossi.
He had his first taste of the machine at the Valencia circuit at Spain. The weather was perfect for the session. The bike was pleasant to ride.
De Puniet said, “It was a good first impression and so the two days were encouraging. I'm happy with my times and my pace, we are still far from the prototypes, but I think we can be pleased because it was the first time riding the bike, and it’s far from
the bike that it will be in January.”
After completing the test outing he underwent a minor surgery. The surgery was done to remove titanium rods and a s***w. These fixtures were inserted to repair his left tibia. He broke his bone last year at Sachsenring, Germany.
During the operation, two screws were also removed from his ankle that was inserted after a crash in motocross race in 2009.
The Frenchman added, “The objective of this test was to try to decide on a direction to build a chassis and I think the team now has a good idea of how to move forward. We will do more testing at Jerez in late January.”
As he will recover from the injury, the team will enter the first official MotoGP test session due at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
Though the bike gave a good feel during the test session but it will be improved further before the 2012 season start. However, the base for the next season has been set.
He is pleased with the project and its pace towards the improvement. The Frenchman tends to put his best effort in the 2012 season. He aims to close the time gap from MotoGP prototypes as soon as possible and surpass if conditions allow.
The French rider has previously worked with the Aspar team in 2005 in other motorcycle racing category.
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