Aprilia Introducess 2012 World Superbike Team of Biaggi, Laverty and the RSV4

Tue, 07 Feb 2012

Aprilia officially presented its 2012 World Superbike Championship team in Milan, Italy, showcasing its RSV4 superbikes as well as factory riders Max Biaggi and newcomer Eugene Laverty.

For Biaggi, the Roman Emperor says he feels motivated to rebound from a difficult 2011 season and regain the title he won in 2010.

“It doesn’t matter how many seasons we have under our belts and how many titles we’ve won. At the beginning of a new season I am always motivated to the maximum,” says Biaggi. “If anything, I must say that for 2012 I am even more motivated after what happened last year. More than one set of circumstances and a lot of hard luck kept us from defending the title down to the last round. And yet, in spite of a serious injury and having to sit out six races, I took third place in the overall standings. That says quite a lot about the effort we put in, but for the new season we’ll have to do better. “

Joining Biaggi is Laverty who finished fourth in his rookie 2011 season with the now-defunct Yamaha factory team.

“This is my second Superbike season – my first on the four cylinder from Noale – but already during the tests in Portimao last Autumn I had a very positive sensation,” says Laverty. “From the very first laps astride the RSV4 I had a good feeling with the bike. I put some promising times on the board and the guys on the Team also made me feel like part of the family straight away.”

Aprilia RSV4 Superbike Specs:

Engine Aprilia 4 longitudinal 65° V4 cylinder, 4-strokes, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshaft (DOHC), four valves per cylinder Engine capacity 999 cc Maximum rpm 15,000 rpm Maximum power ~ 220 CV Fuel system Variable-height intake ducts controlled by engine control unit, electronic injection with 8 injectors and latest-generation Ride-by-Wire technology. Compression ratio 14.5:1 Transmission Six speed cassette gearbox. Clutch Multiplate wet clutch with slipper system. Electronic management Aprilia Racing ECU managing ignition, injection, variable-height intake duct control, Ride by Wire system and traction control. Chassis Adjustable, aluminium dual beam with pressed and cast sheet elements. Suspension Öhlins Brakes Brembo Weight 165 kg

[Source: Aprilia]

By Dennis Chung