Aleix Espargaró Puts Historic 2020 Aprilia RS-GP MotoGP Bike Up for Auction

The factory MotoGP machine that helped shape Aprilia’s rise in the premier class will be auctioned alongside Aleix Espargaró’s complete 2020 racing gear.

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One of the most significant motorcycles in Aprilia’s modern MotoGP history is set to go under the hammer, as Aleix Espargaró has put his 2020 Aprilia RS-GP Factory MotoGP bike up for auction through Iconic Auctioneers.

The motorcycle, which Espargaró raced during the 2020 MotoGP season, will be offered at the Iconic Motorcycle Sale during the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham on the 15th of November. The bike carries an estimated value of between £200,000 and £300,000, with the final selling price potentially reaching around €350,000 (RM 1,639,925) depending on bidding.

Although Aprilia’s results in 2020 were modest, the RS-GP Factory from that season is widely regarded as one of the most important motorcycles in the manufacturer’s MotoGP journey.

After returning as a full factory team in 2015, Aprilia struggled to challenge the front runners for several seasons. Espargaró, who joined the Noale-based team in 2017, even considered retiring from MotoGP before the 2020 campaign due to the lack of competitive results.

Everything changed when Aprilia introduced a completely redesigned RS-GP for the 2020 season. The new machine featured a revised aluminium twin-spar frame, a new 90-degree V4 engine, updated aerodynamics, and a seamless gearbox. The new engine configuration would later become the foundation of Aprilia’s success in MotoGP.

The 2020 season, however, was far from straightforward. Reliability issues and the disrupted COVID-19 calendar prevented the team from fully exploiting the bike’s potential. Despite the challenges, Espargaró finished 17th in the championship, with his best result being eighth place at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Teammate Bradley Smith ended the season in 21st overall before being replaced by Lorenzo Savadori for the final three races.

The progress made with the 2020 RS-GP eventually paid off. In 2021, Espargaró delivered Aprilia’s first four-stroke MotoGP podium at the British Grand Prix. A year later, he secured the manufacturer’s first MotoGP victory at the Argentine Grand Prix, marking a major milestone in Aprilia’s resurgence.

Today, Aprilia is firmly established as one of MotoGP’s leading manufacturers, making the 2020 RS-GP a landmark motorcycle in the brand’s racing history.

The bike being auctioned is the original factory machine raced by Espargaró during the 2020 season. It has remained in his private collection since Aprilia officially handed it over to him in 2022.

The winning bidder will also receive a complete set of Espargaró’s original 2020 racing equipment, including his racing suit, helmet, gloves, and boots.

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains in factory specification. It features Magneti Marelli electronics, an Akrapovič exhaust system, custom-built Öhlins suspension, Brembo brake calipers with carbon front brake discs, and a full carbon fibre fairing.

According to Iconic Auctioneers, the bike is in running condition. However, the new owner will require technical assistance from Aprilia before riding it on track.

With its historical importance, authentic factory specification, and direct connection to Aprilia’s transformation into a MotoGP race winner, the 2020 Aprilia RS-GP is expected to attract significant interest from collectors and motorsport enthusiasts when it goes under the hammer later this year.