Cardion AB has revealed the Aprilia ART with which it will contest the CRT class of this year’s MotoGP championship.
The team had run a satellite Ducati since stepping into the premier class in 2011, but as AUTOSPORT reported back in September it elected to switch into CRTs for the forthcoming season.
Czech rider Karel Abraham, who suffered a frustrating, injury-laden 2012, will once again lead the single-bike effort.
Abraham, who first tested the bike in last year’s post-season Valencia test, said he was confident CRTs could bridge the gap to prototypes this year.
“I believe there will be several opportunities during the season to race against the prototypes, since there are circuits where the differences between CRT bikes and prototypes are eliminated,” he said.
“My goal is to always be one of the best CRT riders.
“I had a very good feeling about ART at Valencia during first testing, especially its cornering performance. We should have a better engine now and I cannot wait to ride the bike at Sepang.”
Team manager Karel Abraham Sr. added: “The transition from prototype is not a step backwards but rather a side step.
“ART is one of the best CRT motorbikes, [and] I believe CRTs will be able to match with prototypes. Plus, they will be much more visible thanks to the new qualification system.”
Cardion AB’s unveiling comes just four days after Honda revealed its 2013 MotoGP contender at Repsol’s Madrid headquarters.
Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther
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