After a short briefing the program includes six twenty-minute rounds on the track, with small groups formed according to the pace of each participant, followed by continuous debriefings with the riders and instructors of the Aprilia Riding Academy. Here the impressions of all the participants are listened to and the on-board videos made between the curbs are viewed. So the “exceptional instructors” they analyze the trajectories and driving behavior of each one, and then offer advice and suggestions to correct your mistakes. But, beyond the course, it is the experience itself that is something extraordinary. When will it ever happen to you lap around the track attached to the tail of an RSV4 ridden by Max Biaggi? And then listen to him give you advice on how to best set braking or how to throw yourself into the Curvone with the gas wide open?! Max Biaggi, a six-time world champion, who for one day becomes your “pistate friend” and gives you sincere, honest, but above all… effective advice! And like him the other two super coaches, Savadori and Baiocco, both super nice and helpful. It’s a pleasure to hear their suggestions, and priceless to be able to then get back on track with them to be able to immediately put into practice what has been explained. Shift after shift I realize the improvement and notice that my pace increases, I feel very fast. Until a surface-to-air missile passes me, literally twice my speed. It’s Maverick Viñales, who as if nothing had happened throws himself into the Curvone at a speed that until then I thought impossible. It’s a pleasure to see him, Max, Fernandez and all the other riders out on the track and see up close what is possible with a production bike. I felt at the limit, they went (twice my speed) for a walk.
It’s not the first time that I happen to ride on the track with SBK or MotoGP riders, but the first time I’m in share a whole day with them, like a pistata with friends. And this is exactly the added value of the Aprilia Pro Experience. Apart from the course itself, which is always very useful (I will never get tired of recommending a riding course to anyone who wants to improve on the curbs, before spending money on motorcycle accessories), the beauty and the added value of this day is the experience. I don’t know if you understand the caliber of pilots we are talking about, but this is it the only opportunity a motorcyclist has to spend a day with them. Trust me, the cost of the experience is high (2,500 euros per person, with motorbike rental, petrol, tyres, a dedicated photo shoot, lunch in the Aprilia hospitality…), but it is worth all the money spent.
A piece of advice: keep an eye on the dedicated website to find out what the next available date for the Aprilia Pro Experience will be.
