Razlan Razali’s newly formed Aprilia customer team will compete in the 2023 MotoGP season with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez
The RNF Aprilia team has announced the rider line-up for the upcoming MotoGP season just days before the San Marino Grand Prix. Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez switch from KTM to RNF and will pilot a bike other than the KTM RC16 for the first time in their MotoGP career.
Yet RNF rider Darryn Binder has to change his mind for 2023. Andrea Dovizioso is already ending his MotoGP career at the upcoming home race in Misano and will be replaced by Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow for the remaining Grands Prix.
After the season finale in Valencia in November, RNF will begin a new chapter with a new manufacturer and two new riders. “We are delighted to welcome Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez to the RNF team from 2023. It was not an easy process but together with Aprilia we were very clear about the riders we wanted,” commented Team Manager Razlan Razali.
Promising combination of experience and youth
The RNF team manager is convinced about Oliveira and Fernandez: “They are both young riders with a good combination of experience from Miguel and Raul, who I have personally been a fan of since he excelled in the Moto2 category last year and became vice champion. To finally sign him is fantastic. “
“Both Aprilia and we believe in the talent of both riders and we can’t wait for them to ride for us next season,” said Razlan Razali, who moves to Aprilia after several years with Yamaha and provides the Italian manufacturer’s customer team. The two RNF riders will receive up-to-date material from Aprilia.
Aprilia takes next step in MotoGP
“Our satellite project with Team RNF is taking shape in the way we imagined from the beginning,” enthused Aprilia Race Director Massimo Rivola. “We have managed to sign two exceptional talents, two riders that I appreciate a lot both from a human point of view and for their technical skills. “
“Miguel has proven his talent in all categories, although he is still very young, he has already gained a lot of experience, winning four races in MotoGP, sometimes with dominant performances,” Massimo Rivola is enthusiastic about Miguel Oliveira.
“At his side will be Raul, a rider I don’t hide the fact that I have already contacted him several times. What he did on his debut in Moto2 speaks volumes about his speed. We have to manage to give them both a technical package that allows them to reach their full potential.”
Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez can already get on the Aprilia MotoGP bikes for the post-season tests. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank KTM who, with great sportsmanship, have allowed Miguel and Raul to ride our bike immediately after the end of the 2022 championship,” notes the Aprilia race director.
