Karel Abraham was already thinking of switching machines next season, unhappy with the performance and development of his Ducati GP12 (he is using the satellite ‘Valencia Zero’ with just some electronic upgrades) and with the new rules that each manufacturer can field only four machines: two factory and two satellite bikes, and Ducati deciding to take over Pramac for their Junior satellite team (Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone), the Czech team went searching for a replacement in the current CRT field and decided on the more competitive ART (Aprilia Racing Technology).
The team today signed the contract with Luigi Dall´Igna, Technical and Sporting Director of Aprilia Racing at Misano.
Cardion AB Racing team manager Karel Abraham Sr.
commented: “Our team entered MotoGP in 2011 with the Ducati Desmosedici GP11 and a rider who at that time was the youngest in the starting field, and the second youngest ever in the history of the MotoGP class.
During the season we gained a number of remarkable successes – Karel twice finished a race in seventh, and several times achieved the quickest qualifying time on a Ducati.
He was quick, he got used to the bike really fast, collaboration with Ducati was outstanding, and the work of the engineers and the development of the bike were completely professional.
At the end of the season Ducati had developed a bike for 2012 based around a different concept.
Unfortunately, our first impressions of the bike were not too positive, however.
The bike was very hard to find good set up, and it was clear that the engine needed a lot more intensive development.
Our idea of just how much more development work the bike needed unfortunately differed from that of Ducati, and it didn’t look like they were about to change their minds.
So, in spite of the fact that we had the option to continue with Ducati in 2013, we decided not to use it, and to give an opportunity to a new partner.
This new partnership with Aprilia raised of our earlier close collaboration with the Aspar team.
We shared engineers and helped one another out in the lower classes.
Both teams in 2011 moved into MotoGP with Ducati.
Aspar pulled out of the deal after one year, however, and moved to ART – Aprilia.
So it’s natural that the first discussions we entered into were with Aprilia.
Those who’ve ridden the bike regard it as being a high quality, reliable motorcycle, and even more importantly, the support from the Aprilia factory allows riders and mechanics from our team to participate in the development and setting up of the machine.
Over the course of this season CRT bikes have been getting quicker, and we’re convinced that they have a future.
On top of which, ART – Aprilia has undoubtedly shown that, of all the CRT bikes, it’s the most competitive.
For us, 2013 is going to be a year of testing and improving set up of the bike.
In 2014 new technical rules [note: a spec ECU and rev limit] will be coming into force that will move the CRT category very close to factory bikes.
”On the switch, Karel Abraham, who was the fastest rider of the day added: “The 2012 season has regrettably been a step backwards.
It’s a pity that we are finishing our co-operation with Ducati in these circumstances, but this year things haven’t been working as well as they should.
We have been in negotiation with Aprilia for quite some time, and I think the partnership’s got a good future.
I see it as the best possible solution.
It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but we think it’s important to be going forward and not just running on the spot!We have worked with Aprilia before in 250s.
In fact, in the year before the old 250cc class was replaced by Moto2, we worked really well together.
I hope that we can now build on it!”