Aprilia's rhetoric has become more ambitious following their significant competitive boost. In Noale, they are confident that, with the current foundation and the work ahead, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín will be in the thick of the fight when the 2026 season gets underway.
The recent surge in results, including the marque's 300th victory and a double win at Phillip Island, has reinforced that conviction. The team believes that the technical progress and accumulated confidence now place them among the projects with the most momentum on the grid.
Rivola's bet for 2026…
Massimo Rivola didn't mince words: the plan is for the team's two key drivers to compete for the championship. According to the CEO, their talent, combined with the progress of the RS-GP, makes it virtually certain that Bezzecchi and Martín will fight for the title in 2026.
The team manager emphasized that nothing in MotoGP is given freely and that performance must be built day by day. Even so, he is confident that, with a solid preseason and three full days of testing in Sepang, the rider-bike combination will take a decisive leap forward to sustain that level throughout the year.
An Aprilia RS-GP that sets the pace (and fine-tunes where it struggles most)
The qualitative leap came after the collective test at MotorLand Aragón and was confirmed over the last two weekends. For Rivola, the RS-GP can be considered a benchmark on high-speed circuits , and although there is still work to be done on stop-and-go sections, the gap compared to the past has clearly narrowed.
Behind this evolution is the hand of Fabiano Sterlacchini and the technical team in Noale. The new direction has resulted in a more complete and consistent bike, something that was evident lap after lap in Australia and Indonesia. The internal impression is that the technical package now performs well on a wider range of circuits.
Bezzecchi, pace and candidate confidence
The Italian has strung together some very strong performances, including a victory in the Phillip Island sprint and consistent speed that, for many in the paddock, has made him the man to beat in recent races. Since his win at Silverstone and a step up in qualifying, Bezzecchi has found the formula that allows him to start at the front and manage races effectively.
The improvement in one-lap pace has been crucial. Starting from the front rows, his clean rhythm shines through and reduces risks. At Aprila, they particularly value that, after a period of adaptation to the new structure, Marco is now pushing the RS-GP to its limits without holding back.
Jorge Martín, a key player after a difficult year
Martín has dealt with injuries and setbacks, but his potential remains undiminished in the eyes of the team. Rivola emphasizes that being a champion and having talent doesn't exempt one from completing all the steps of the process, and that Jorge is approaching this development with patience to ensure he arrives in top form by 2026.
The expectation is that, with thorough preparation and consistent physical training, the Madrid native will capitalize on his adaptation to the bike to deliver the performance expected of him. He was missed at Phillip Island and Mandalika, but internally there are no doubts about his ability to fight for the title.
The competitive drive that changes everything
The Australian Grand Prix weekend delivered tangible results: Raúl Fernández's victory in the feature race, Bezzecchi's sprint win, and the milestone of 300 victories for the team. This context boosts the team's morale and confirms that the project, both in the factory team and the satellite team , is on solid ground.
Rivola also highlighted Fernández's progress and the importance of patience with Ai Ogura, who is still regaining his form after his hand injury. With Davide Brivio now part of the team and a more stable working method, Aprilia believes all four of its riders can be consistently competitive.
Homework: Sepang as a real thermometer
The next big test will be Sepang. It's a complete circuit that has always served as a benchmark for measuring the bike's balance. If the RS-GP performs at the level it showed in Australia, the factory will understand that the growth is structural and that the performance is sustainable beyond favorable conditions.
The objective is clear: to remain the main alternative to Ducati and, from there, shave tenths of a second off their lap times through continuous development. The message within the garage is clear, because what they've achieved so far isn't enough to fight for the championship ; they must keep evolving.
Source – Aprilia
Images | Aprilia