Milwaukee Aprilia SBK 2017
For 2017 World Superbike, the factory Aprilia team gets a makeover. Besides two new riders—Eugene Laverty, who returns to SBK following two years in MotoGP, and Lorenzo Savadori, who currently competes on the IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4—the factory team has announced a new main sponsor – Milwaukee.
Aprilia signed with Milwaukee Tool through 2018, and the agreement specifies that “technical material and related direct assistance and support will be provided by Aprilia Racing, including bike development, which classifies Milwaukee as a Supported Factory Team.”
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Aprilia, which is under the Piaggio Group, as seven titles in World Superbike between 2010 and 2014 – three rider (Max Biaggi x2, Sylvain Guintoli x1) and four manufacturer.
Aprilia says the 2017 SBK team run by Shaun Muir, which boasts two British titles, will be able to count on a top shelf rider lineup: in addition to the 2015 Superstock Champion Lorenzo Savadori, who quickly drew attention this year in his rookie World Superbike season, Northern Irishman Eugene Laverty will be back in WSBK, 2013 runner up astride none other than an Aprilia RSV4.
Romano Albesiano (Aprilia Racing Manager) says: “Shaun Muir’s team, after making a good name for themselves in the British championship, wants to get to the top of a world category. Our agreement includes, in addition to providing bikes and materials, support from Aprilia Racing personnel to manage and develop the RSV4, within a Factory Support type relationship.
The birth of the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team also marks Eugene Laverty’s return to WSBK, a rider who we know well and whose professional and personal qualities have our utmost respect. He will have Lorenzo Savadori working alongside him, a young rider who has been part of our sports project for two seasons in which he won the Superstock 1000 title first and then drew attention in WSBK with an extremely positive rookie year.”
Shaun Muir (SMR General Manager) says: “For SMR, collaboration with Aprilia Racing for 2017 and 2018 means a real chance to fight for the win. Aprilia has a strong and victorious history in World Superbike and we are determined to continue on the same path. Having Eugene and Lorenzo on board makes this a dream team. Without a doubt, Eugene is coming back to WSBK for one reason only – to win. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is the fastest rookie and a sure protagonist. I wish to thank Milwaukee, Gulf and all of the partners who are supporting our project.”
Eugene Laverty says: “I’m excited to return to Superbike with Aprilia and the RSV4, a bike with which I took ten wins and second place overall in the championship. I hope to be able to pick up where I left off with those results, thanks to the support of Aprilia and a fantastic team like Shaun Muir’s. Everything is in place for us to be competitive straight away.”
Lorenzo Savadori says: “I am very happy to continue my adventure in World Superbike with Aprilia. This is another chance to achieve great results, with one more year of experience on the RSV4 for me. In a demanding rookie season I was already able to express a good performance level, learning a lot, both about race management and working in the garage, but I do not want to stop here. We will definitely be highly motivated at the start, with an ambitious project and a great desire to do well.”
Jason Chiswell (Vice President of Marketing Milwaukee Tools) says: “At Milwaukee Power tools our vision is always to win and that same mentality is shared with the SMR team. We see the next year with Aprilia as being an exciting and a new winning chapter in our World Superbike program.”
Frank Rutten (Vice President of Gulf Oil International) says: “As the world’s fastest growing oil brand we are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with what we believe will be one of the most rapid teams in SBK next year. We have been extremely impressed by the way SMR has entered the World Superbike arena. They are one of the best organized and most professional outfits in the paddock and we have developed an excellent working relationship with both them and the team’s title sponsor, Milwaukee Tools.
We are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with them as team sponsor and official lubricant partners.”
