TEAMMATE GUS RODIO (RODIO RACING BY ROBEM ENGINEERING) INCREASES THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH TWO BRILLIANT SECOND-PLACE FINISHES.
Image source: www.motoamerica.com/calendar
Braselton, Georgia (USA), 24 April 2023 - Aprilia continues its domination in the MotoAmerica Twins category. On a thrilling weekend at Road Atlanta, riders Rocco Landers and Gus Rodio claimed half of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup podium finishes, to give the Aprilia RS 660 its second victory in four races this season. Landers dominated Race 2 while Rodio, after only two championship rounds, tried to pull the pin and run away at the front in the overall standings.
Rocco Landers: début win on the Aprilia RS 660. Sara Chappell Photos.
The performance of the Rodio Racing - Powered by Robem Engineering riders confirmed the extreme competitiveness of the Italian twin-cylinders: Rocco Landers, filling in for injured rider Ben Gloddy, claimed a pole position and a win in his first weekend competing aboard an Aprilia RS 660. Gus Rodio’s pair of second place finishes (Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday) allowed him – who is already championship leader – to end the weekend with a 26 point advantage over the second rider in the championship.
MotoAmerica REV'IT! Twins Cup Race 1 Highlights
at Road Atlanta 2023 – Official video:
www.facebook.com/MotoAmerica/videos/6183670338382690
In the first race on Saturday, Rodio got a good jump when the lights went out and was running in second as the field took the hole shot with Landers running just behind Rodio and another rider. That group of three riders steadily broke away from the rest of the field during the first lap, but Landers’ race was unfortunately cut short by a mechanical failure near the end of Lap 3, leaving Rodio to vie for the win. Gus managed to finish second and add 20 points to his championship bid.
MotoAmerica REV'IT! Twins Cup Race 2 Highlights
at Road Atlanta 2023 – Official video:
www.facebook.com/MotoAmerica/videos/1508797303280169
In Race 2, Landers literally dominated, getting a good launch off the line and gradually building a lead that topped out at more than seven seconds and then finishing 4.166 ahead of his teammate. Rodio pulled away from the third-place rider during the last two laps to secure his second runner-up finish of the weekend and give the team its first 1-2 finish of the 2023 season. Landers’ best lap time of 1:31.950 in Race 2 lowered the Twins Cup race lap record by more than 0.8 seconds.
On the left, Rocco Landers, Gus Rodio and the two Rodio Racing powered by Robem Engineering riders, together in front of the podium on the Road Atlanta circuit. Sara Chappell Photos.
La MotoAmerica Twins Cup ha ora tre fine settimana di pausa prima di tornare in azione dal 19 al 21 maggio al Barber Motorsports Park di Birmingham, in Alabama, per il terzo round del Campionato 2023.
Image source: www.motoamerica.com/calendar
ROCCO LANDERS (bike no. 97): “My first time on the Aprilia RS 660 was amazing. It handled very similar to a Supersport 600cc bike, in that it gave me a ton of feel on the front tyre. I really like riding it.
Left photo, Sara Chappell Photos; right, image source: www.facebook.com/MotoAmerica
It’s really easy to adapt to, which is a blessing when you get on a new bike. Once I got on it, I knew I was going to get with it immediately. I’m very, very happy to be able to ride the Aprilia to a win today, and I’m excited about the rest of the season.”
Gus Rodio on the Aprilia RS 660. Sara Chappell Photos.
GUS RODIO (bike no. 96): “Overall, it was a pretty good weekend here at Road Atlanta. I’m super happy to get a double podium and extend my championship points lead. I feel really good and learned a lot this weekend from riding with Rocco and other riders. I’m excited to take what we learned here to Barber and have a good weekend there.”
Sara Chappell Photos. Rodio Racing facebook: www.facebook.com/rodioracing
ALSO READ THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE:
wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/racing/the-aprilia-rs-660-shines-in-the-2023-season-opener-of-motoamerica-in-daytona
