P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Massimo Rivola has categorically put an end to any ideas of Aprilia joining WorldSBK anytime soon.
The CEO of Aprilia MotoGP believes that the WorldSBK class no longer aligns with Aprilia’s goals and interests. While series organiser Dorna wants Aprilia to participate in WorldSBK, the brand currently does not have a motorcycle that meets the required criteria. Aprilia has been a prominent advocate for reducing bike speeds in MotoGP due to safety concerns, and they argue that Superbikes should not be slower than MotoGP bikes. They also suggest implementing a price cap for series machines, as the current situation of allowing significantly more expensive bikes to compete against cheaper ones is deemed ridiculous. Aprilia does not find the Superbike World Championship appealing at the moment, as it resembles a secondary MotoGP championship, and they would only be interested if fair rules are established. These statements partly target Ducati, who leads in terms of development and price range of modern Superbikes. Rivola suggests adopting Superstock rules for superbikes and removing the indicators and rearview mirrors for racing, which he believes would better align with the interests of manufacturers and boost motorcycle sales.
