Tech Details From Austria: Aprilia's Holeshot Controller, Brembo's Big Brakes, KTM's Rear Spoiler, And More

Ride-height devices grow more complex. On display is the front of the Aprilia RS-GP, with an accumulator behind the front forks. It would make sense to use this as a way to automatically trigger the ride-height device. The rules forbid electronic application, but not "passively determined by forces/displacements directly transmitted by mechanical/hydraulic connections".

As you can see, no connection to the front brake system.

All these systems have made the handlebars a very busy place. So automating applying the rear ride-height device makes sense, and leaves the rider to concentrate on riding again.

From this angle, a good view of the bottom duct on the Ducati GP21, where the air from the front is angled down toward the bottom of the bike. Whether it's ground effect or reduced turbulence Ducati are after, the bike is working well. The 'salad box' containing the mass damper also appears to grow more bulbous with each iteration.

Fabio Quartararo is sticking with the aluminum swingarm, despite the continuing progress with the carbon fiber item. A single brake line to the rear caliper means he is using the either/or thumb brake, rather than the system which can be controlled independently. That system has two separate brake lines, and two separate pistons.

Brembo's new brake discs, especially for Austria (and Motegi, if we were going there). The interior of the disc is larger, and with more mass to store more temperature. The slots allow for cooling, crucial at the toughest braking circuit on the calendar.

The new Brembo discs in situ. Note the cooling ducts below, channeling air to the brake calipers. The new aerodynamic front fender for the Yamaha M1 is visible above. Two wires going to speed sensors on the front wheel, and the red dot just out of focus is a brake disc temperature sensor. Vital at the Red Bull Ring

Just visible at the top of the picture on the right fork leg (on the left in the photo) is the release spring for the front holeshot device. The black bracket is what the front fender attaches to. And behind the fork leg, the rod of the fork extension sensor is visible.

KTM debuted a tail spoiler at Austria 2, but only tried it out with the Tech3 team. The objective was to stabilize the rear a little and reduce drag. This is on Danilo Petrucci's RC16.

Somewhere under there is a ride-height device. But the rest of the bike remains remarkably conventional. And still incredibly fast

Honda is experimenting with chassis, in search of the perfect stiffness. Carbon fiber wraps are applied to modify chassis characteristics. The side view of the bike also shows just how slight and elegant the front wings are on the RC213V

Ducati continue to use a valve in the exhaust to control engine torque, visible on the top exhaust pipe

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