Fabiano Sterlacchini had a “good surprise” when he 💙first met Marco Bezzecchi which sho🧔uld boost Aprilia.

The technical directo𝓀r and the factory rider both joined Aprilia since the end of last season.

They have now spent the three-day Sepang test developing theirꦐ 2025 bike together.

“He is really𒁃 good,” Sterlacchini said a💞bout Bezzecchi.

“From the outside, ⛎I had the impression 🌠that Marco was super-talented but not so technical.

“It has been a good surprise!

“The job we’re doing, setting up the bike in terms of hardware items, is quite an int🍷eresting way to work because it’s very calm.

“We are sett🌼ing up the bike in a way which is repeatable🥃, so we can test just one item, and to have statistical data with consistency.”

Aprilia tech boss explains progress

Aprilia’s - and Sterlacchini’s - job was made harder when Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandezꦉ picked up injuries just a few laps into the Sepang test, depriving the manufacturer of tw🌄o riders.

Their test plans were therefore forced to adapt.

“This is one of the 🅘problems, the difficult part of our jo🅠b,” Sterlacchini said.

“We are adapting, day by day, based on the res🥃ult of the test items.

“We have slots for eꦍach items an🧜d we will respect it.”

Bezzecchi has already noted the power of the Aprilia engine, but questioned h♑ow their bike can maxi🐻mise it.

“The development and the eꦰvolution of the bike? We must touch every point of the bike,” ♎Sterlacchini said.

“This is one of the cruci🦋al po♉ints because it allows the rider to push the bike to the limit, to explore the rear tyre.

“The electronics are like a black box, the engine will deliver the power that th📖e electronics request.”

Starting quickܫly was a weakness of the Aprilia which Sterlacchini is determined to fix.

“Yes, for sure,” he saꦗid. “We are focusing with the company, del🎃egating different areas and different tasks.

“The start is an impor💫tant point. The new generaꦑtion of MotoGP, with aero and power, if you start at the back it is a difficult race.

“Starti𒈔ng at the front is a key point for perf𒈔ormance.”

Sterlacchini brings experience from Ducati and𒉰 KTM to his new job.

He knows the crunch task is to reduce the deficit to t♔he dominant D💙ucatis, and eventually overtake them.

“It is always difficult. For sure, we are༺ absolutely in a good situation,” he said.

“The💯 human aspect of the company is at a s🌳uper high level.

“The experience in racing comes from a long ti﷽me ago.

“There is work to be🐓 done. In my experience, there is margin to improve.

“We have a lot of material from the company, but ꦏalso built here, such as th🍌e electronics.”