Opinion: Who could be the RNF Aprilia riders for 2023

May 31, 2022 May 31, 2022

With the RNF Racing Team moving over to Aprilia for the 2023 season. The big question is who will be their riders?

The current RNF Yamaha riders are Darryn Binder and Andrea Dovizioso.

It appears that the experienced Italian of Dovizioso will be retiring at the end of 2022. After returning to MotoGP for a year and a half in the RNF squad Dovizioso has not had much success.

Darryn Binder has had a slow start to life in MotoGP after making the jump from Moto3. Binder has scored points in one race this year, he will most likely not be Aprilia’s ideal rider for 2023.

Aprilia will decide who rides for their satellite team, so here is who I believe the Noale factory will be looking at for 2023.

Who could RNF Aprilia have as riders in 2023:

Celestino Vietti:

The current Moto2 championship leader will almost definitely be in MotoGP for 2023. To get the chance to jump onto an Aprilia at their current level is a great opportunity. However, with Vietti being a VR46 rider and how Rossi did not seem to have great relationship with Razlan Razali this might not be in Rossi’s best interest for his rider.

It would be more likely to see Vietti on a Ducati in Gresini if Bastianini gets a promotion to Pramac.

Tony Arbolino:

Another fast Italian who could be in Aprilia leathers for 2023 is Tony Arbolino. The Moto2 race winner has been great this season in Moto2 as he is 4th in the championship. The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider has shown great form so far this season and the 21 year old would bring a lot of talent to Aprilia.

Raul Fernandez:

The Tech3 KTM Factory Racing rider has not made it a secret that he wanted to ride for WithU RNF Yamaha Racing Team. Fernandez seems to want out of KTM after a horrid start to his season with 0 points in five races. However, Fernandez is extremely talented so deserves a chance on a competitive package like the Aprilia.

Joe Roberts:

Moto2 race winner Joe Roberts has been linked to Aprilia in the past but turned down the offer. Now that Aprilia have a more competitive machine Roberts should try his best to get himself back on Aprilia’s radar. Roberts’ nationality will also help him out since Dorna are desperate for an American rider in MotoGP.

Aron Canet:

The Spanish rider is third in the Moto2 championship so will be on the radar of many MotoGP teams. Canet has a large amount of talent and Aprilia could want someone like him in their ranks. However, I feel he may be overlooked by Aprilia in favour of other riders.