Miguel Oliveira may have his path blocked at Aprilia
Aprilia CEO has spoken about a possible replacement for Aleix Espargaro in 2025.
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Aleix Espargaró announced the end of his career last Friday and speculation quickly began about who would take his place next season.
Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernández, riders for Trackhouse Racing, were supposedly the first names to be considered for the place of the Spaniard who is retiring. However, the options, it seems, will be extended to any rider outside the Aprilia universe.
"I think the market is going to be very interesting and will have very good opportunities. Let's see if, finally, we can put an Italian on an Italian bike or not. I think there could be a good opportunity here," began Massimo Rivola, during the first free practice session of the Catalan Grand Prix.
"Obviously, taking Aleix's place will not be easy for anyone, so whoever comes will have to have a lot of ambition," stressed the Aprilia CEO.
It should be remembered that there are several Italians on the grid and all of them with their future undefined. Enea Bastianini has not yet defined his future with Ducati, as well as Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio DiGiannantonio, both riders for the VR46 Racing Team. Not forgetting the Italian-Brazilian Franco Morbidelli, who currently represents the colors of Pramac Racing.
It's not that the door is closed to Miguel Oliveira in the Aprilia factory team, but these statements show that Rivola is analyzing all the possibilities and it seems that the Portuguese is far from starting in the 'pole position' to succeed Aleix Espargaró.
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