Fabiano Sterlacchini Named Technical Director of Aprilia

A significant shake-up in MotoGP's technical leadership has been announced, with Fabiano Sterlacchini set to take over as Technical Director at Aprilia from November 18, 2024, following Romano Albesiano's departure to Honda. Albesiano, who has been with Aprilia for 11 years and played a pivotal role in its rise to prominence, will start his new role at Honda at the beginning of the 2025 season. Both manufacturers confirmed the changes simultaneously at the Japanese Grand Prix, highlighting a strategic pivot for Honda as it seeks to recover from recent struggles. Sterlacchini's appointment coincides with Aprilia's recruitment of young riders Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi, aiming to strengthen their MotoGP project. Massimo Rivola, Aprilia's sporting director, expressed confidence in the new direction, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in achieving success. The reshuffle marks a notable trend of European engineers taking on prominent roles within Japanese teams, reflecting the ongoing evolution of MotoGP dynamics.