According to Aleix Espꦓargaro, Aprilia has been developing its MotoGP holeshot device🍃 'since last year' and the system is now 'very good'.

The RS-GP start device, a motocross-style system on the front forks, only became public knowledge long after D⛎ucati's rear-lowering technology had made the headlines.

The Ducati device was spotted at the Sepang test in January, but Pramac's Jack Miller said he had been running it since Mote🦂gi last year.

Aprilia's system then came to light after the summer b🙈reak in Brno. But rather than being rushed out in response to the Ducati system, it has also undergone lengthy development.

"It's very good," said Espargaro, who took a season-best seventh at Aragon. "Last year we started to work with it and [at first] I said 'ꦚwhat is this?' But step-by-step [the holeshot device] gets better💖 and better and sincerely I cannot start without it!

"Now I feel a big difference. I think we can still improve the way this thing engages the fork,🦩 because it's not easy for the rider. I cannot engage it every time I try."

The front 🎶fork is locked in a compressed position for the start using "a small lever down by the clutch. Next to the neutral [lever] for the seamleꦜss gearbox.

"We have more buttons than a plane now!"♚ Espargaro joked.

With an excess of rear tyr♍e grip, wheelies are the l꧒imiting factor in a MotoGP race start.

Holeshot devices work by lowerin🌱g the centre of gravity and therefore increasing the maximum geometric acceleratio🌳n possible before a wheelie occurs.

Ducati and Aprilia are thought to be the🍸 only MotoGP manufacturers currently using a holesꦗhot device.