The MotoGP landscape is set to change again in 2015 with the re-introduction of both Suzuki and Aprilia at a factory level. While Suzuki’s re-entry was widely known, Aprilia’s decision comes a year earlier than expected, triggering a flurry of activity and various rider and team shuffles. CycleOnline answers a handful of questions on the topic today.

Source: Suzuki Racing.

Who are the new manufacturers and in what capacity are they entering the premier class?

Suzuki and Aprilia, entering the fray under different arrangements with new and existing teams. Suzuki’s highly-publicised return to the sport is managed wholly by its Japanese factory, with the brand mapping out its plans to a specific timeline. Aprilia’s campaign comes under a vastly-different banner, with the Italian marque choosing to partner with Gresini Racing in what it has confirmed is an initial four-year program.

What details do we have on their respective development programs?

Prior to its temporary exit from the championship in 2012, Suzuki had competed in the FIM’s top-tier road racing class for 37 consecutive years. The decision to suspend operations was not made overnight and it was clear its plans to return would be both measured and specific. It was mid-2013 when it announced its intentions to return for 2015, with its official test team receiving a generous 18-month allowance to develop its prototype to the level expected and necessary to run with the likes of Honda and Yamaha. Suzuki has participated in the majority of the official MotoGP tests since the original announcement, as well as hosting its own private tests. Aprilia already has a presence in MotoGP in the Open class, with the IodaRacing Project, piloted by Danilo Petrucci, providing a fundamental base for its factory entry. The technical development of their 2015 machine relies heavily on the data obtained in race scenarios, with details of official testing of the new prototype yet to emerge. Aprilia’s World Superbike machines are closely linked to the current-spec ART machine, allowing extra data and experience to be drawn upon.

Who will ride the respective factory bikes?

Neither brand has issued official confirmation on its rider line-up, with plenty of speculation involved in the formative stages. By process of elimination, some of the more likely names have been whittled down to a handful of distinct possibilities. Though Suzuki employed Randy de Puniet for the bulk of its bike development, it looks likely the factory will opt for the experience of current MotoGP class rider Aleix Espargaro alongside highly-rated Moto2 star Maverick Vinales. Espargaro has shone on the Forward Yamaha this season, and should be a solid performer on factory machinery. Vinales has title-winning pedigree and has impressed in the second-tier class this season with the Pons outfit. There are strong indications that Aprilia will bring current World Superbike rider Marco Melandri to its factory program, a logical switch given his breadth of experience. Photos circulating of Melandri in the Gresini garage at Misano do nothing to detract from these rumours. It is expected that current Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista will be retained to partner Melandri on the second bike.

Source: WSBK.

Can the bikes be competitive in their first year?

Yes, and realistically, they have to be. This isn’t a ‘toe in the water’ exercise for either brand. Unwavering commitment is required to build and field factory MotoGP prototype machines, along with a healthy bank balance. Suzuki’s testing performances have been strong, and the brand is likely to wildcard at the final Valencia round of the season which will give a better indication of its standing. Aprilia had scheduled its MotoGP return for 2016 but is so confident of its technical expertise that it is comfortable to throw its hand in the ring a year earlier than expected. It too would be unsatisfied as contending as an ‘also ran’, so you can bet that it will be a contender. It will benefit from the current and constant feed of data from its Open class entry and should be fully-prepared for debut come April 2015.

What effect does the MotoGP move have on the manufacturers’ World Superbike programs?

The differences between prototype and production racing are widely-known; both are absolute top-level competitions but they have different objectives. MotoGP is based around emerging and unrivalled racing technology, with multi-million dollar budgets invested into a pair of bikes completely unobtainable to the public. Superbike racing bases its DNA on road-going variants, and holds importance for every manufacturer as it showcases the core product and in most cases, a flagship type of bike in the 1000cc category. Neither Suzuki nor Aprilia plan to make drastic changes to their current production racing plans in light of their MotoGP programs. The GSX-R brand is a mainstay of World Superbike and will be in it for the long haul, despite a tough run of results in present times. For Aprilia, which now comes under the Piaggio Group banner, the opportunity to participate in MotoGP again is one it attributes to its new level of “industrial and financial stability”. It insists that the program will not affect its World Superbike plans, where the RSV4 is a consistent frontrunner and regular contender for race wins. The championships have different aspects relating to the promotion of the brand and product. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief that neither MotoGP move will affect either brand’s WSBK presence.

Does this open the flood gates for more manufacturers to enter?

While it indicates that the financial ground beneath motorcycles and racing is steadying somewhat, the re-entry of Suzuki and Aprilia does nothing to open any doors to other manufacturers, other than an incentive to have a representation at the top level. The case of the Aprilia/Gresini link is interesting, however, because the manufacturer saves a serious pile of cash in entering the championship with an existing team rather than going it alone. Other manufacturers, like Kawasaki and BMW, have had representation in form of Open class entries, though moving beyond this and considering a factory presence is a decision that would affect and influence a company’s financial structure at the highest level.