Sylvain Guintoli Replaces Max Biaggi on Aprilia WSBK Team

If you're WSBK champion Aprilia Racing, how do you keep the momentum going after your champion retires? Turn to a "young veteran" known for his gritty racing: Sylvain Guintoli. Guintoli has been chosen by the Aprilia Racing Team for its 2013 World Superbike Championship squad, replacing Max Biaggi. Guintoli will team up with Northern Ireland’s Eugene Laverty, also known to carry a large set, on the Aprilia RSV4.

The 30-year-old Frenchman is no stranger to the Aprilia brand. He logged ample seat time on Aprilias in the 250 class from 2001 to 2006. After two seasons in MotoGP, he moved on to WSBK in the last race of the 2009 season. In the three seasons since then, he has racked up 10 podiums, three wins, and a pole position.

Guintoli is excited to be settling into the seat formerly occupied by Biaggi, who won the 2012 WSBK World Championship and earned Aprilia the World Manufacturer title. “To be able to sit in the saddle of the world champion bike is a great opportunity for me,” he said, “one of the most important in my career. I think the bike has extremely high potential, as we've seen in the past few years, and I'm confident that I'll be able to put in some excellent results with it.”

Gigi Dall’Igna, Aprilia Racing’s Technical and Sport Director, shares Guintoli’s enthusiasm. “Sylvain is a great addition to our team and we were very keen to have him. His excellent first contact with the RSV4 during the tests held at Jerez were also encouraging. He proved to be a fast and solid rider straight away. He and Laverty will make a team to be reckoned with.”

In addition to the current WSBK championship, Aprilia boasts a total of 51 world titles: four in World Superbike, won in 2010 and 2012 (both Rider-Manufacturer double wins); nine world titles in off-road disciplines; and 38 championship titles in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, where it is the most victorious Italian and European brand of those currently active in racing.