At first, KTM’s difficulties continued with the Aprilia – But since late summer Raul Fernandez has been improving – The reasons for his increase
In recent weeks Raul Fernandez has shown an upward trend. The Spaniard captured his best career result so far in Misano with eighth place. In India, he scored his first World Championship point in the sprint, finishing ninth. Fernandez finished the Grand Prix in tenth place. Most recently in Japan, he finished ninth in his first flag-to-flag race, despite a long-lap penalty.
The 22-year-old is starting to show his talent in the premier class. After his strong Moto2 season in 2021, Fernandez was already hailed by some as the new Marc Marquez. But his debut year with Tech3-KTM was more than difficult.
Even with the switch to RNF-Aprilia, this difficult phase initially continued. “Then my arm surgery changed everything, my attitude, my training,” Fernandez says. “I changed a lot so that I could show my potential.”
Between the Jerez and Le Mans races, he underwent surgery on his right arm to relieve numbness while riding. “On the bike it was really difficult. During the summer break I had time to prepare well,” he looks back.
“But I have to state that neither Aprilia nor the team spoke badly about me. They never said that I was a rider where it was not enough. I have always felt support. My goal with Aprilia is to win and give them back their confidence.”
RNF team manager Wilco Zeelenberg has worked with many talents in recent years, including Jorge Lorenzo and Fabio Quartararo. The ex-racer is also convinced of the potential that lies within Fernandez.
“We know he has a lot of talent,” “But in today’s MotoGP you need a good base with the bike that you can feel. He struggled with that last year because he didn’t have a good feel for the bike.”
“He had trouble riding the bike at the limit.” And this year Fernandez has had to get to know the Aprilia, which has different characteristics to the KTM but in principle suits his natural riding style better.
Basic set-up found, things are looking up
With his crew chief Noe Herrera, the RS-GP’s set-up was fine-tuned. The bike was also new for the team. In Barcelona they finally found a good basis for Fernandez, which was confirmed in Misano and also in the overseas races.
“He has very big ambitions. Sometimes we even have to slow him down, because that’s important too. It’s not like you can say you’ll win tomorrow. Step by step. He must not try to win races from impossible starting positions.”
“His ambitions are good, but we have to slow him down and be realistic. He is slowly understanding what it takes to ride a MotoGP bike at the limit for the full race. With his ambitions, there is only one way to do it and be able to win races.”
“I think he has the talent to do it, but he still has a lot to learn. You have to remember that every track with the Aprilia is new for him. On Friday you can do maybe 40 laps, which is not so much. My goal is for him to be in the championship points in every race.” “In principle, I can ride the bike the way I want now. I can attack at the entrance of the corner. I can now ride the way I have ridden all my life,” the Spaniard confirmed the progress.
He has also improved in qualifying. Since Misano, Fernandez has always been in Q2. “That is also important because if you start 18th, 19th, 20th all the time, the races are very difficult,” Zeelenberg says. “Step by step he has to grow. “