LEADER OF THE WORLD SUPERMOTO S2 JEROME GIRAUDO,
04 May 2006 - Aprilia

For Jerome Giraudo this year represents his third season in the World Supermoto Championship in the saddle of the Aprilia SXV 4.5.

After his debut in 2004 with the revolutionary two-cylinder from Noale, a season which culminated with the surprising title win in S2, but in 2005 he was not able to repeat this performance. Now that the surprise effect has worn off, the Aprilia SXV 4.5 is a splendid part of the supermotard and Jerome has a high priority goal for 2006: win the second title in S2. And the transalpine is off to a good start. In fact, after the first round (the Europe GP in Castelletto di Branduzzo), he is at the front of the series with 47 points. Giraudo has his work cut out for him, what with Frederic Bolley in second place with 40 points and Thierry Van den Bosch in fourth with 35 points, both of whom are official Aprilia riders. Also, his competitors this year will be in large part made up of his teammates, as is evidenced by the current rankings. It will be an extremely exiting championship, which will surely see Aprilia trident among the protagonists, given the power of the SXV 4.5 and the characteristics of the riders.

What’s the atmosphere like in the Aprilia House? We asked the world leader, Jerome Giraudo, who informed us on the situation.

“This winter – he said – we did a lot of good work on the bikes. I’m not in top shape because I wasn’t able to train due to a flu virus that made me feel tired and I often had a high fever. But I can still say I feel good in the saddle of the motorcycle.”

How is the evolution of the SXV 4.5 coming along, given that you’ve followed every step of the project since its beginning?
“The development of the bike this year will surely represent the biggest advancement that we’ve made in three years since the birth of the team. There have been a lot of changes to the weight, the engine and frame on a bike which for the most part didn’t have a lot of defects at the beginning, but was radically changed just the same. It’s gotten a lot better in many ways.”

How was the arrival of Van den Bosch in Aprilia?
“I get along with Thierry. We’re all happy and he, too, has done a lot of work on the bike, bringing with him his idea sand experience. For me, he’s also a good reference point, and I often talk to him about my ideas on development. I have to say that so far we agree on everything. I’m happy about his arrival at Aprilia.”

What is your favorite type of race track?
“I’m happy on a go-kart track with a good start and especially when safety standards are respected throughout the race. I don’t have a favorite track, on which I really feel comfortable. As long as it’s more or less fast, for me it doesn’t make a difference.”

Who are your most feared rivals in the World S2?
“Many, starting with my teammates VDB and Bolley and many other riders. The peculiarity of the S2 is that it includes diverse riders who are particularly fast, as we have already seen in the first trial at Castelletto di Branduzzo.”

What level is the growth of Supermotard at?
“The level of the riders and of the bikes has grown a lot since it was introduced in the world championship. It needs a more direct participation on the part of other manufacturing houses, who should invest, even at the publicity level, especially in this discipline, following the path set out by Aprilia.”

www.aprilia.com

More News
  For May 2006
  From Aprilia
  For Racing General
  Biker247.com Home Page