Aprilia Aims for 2026 MotoGP Crown Amidst Rising Performance, Declares Racing Chief

Aprilia has formally declared its ambition to challenge Ducati’s established dominance in the MotoGP World Championship, setting its sights on securing the title in 2026, according to Massimo Rivola, the motorsport chief for Aprilia Racing.

The Italian manufacturer has demonstrated significant progress this season, emerging as a consistent contender at the forefront of the grid. This ascent in performance marks a pivotal shift in the competitive landscape of MotoGP, where Ducati has held sway in recent years.

The 2024 season has seen Aprilia emerge as the sole constructor capable of disrupting Ducati’s near-monopolistic grip on race victories. The team’s improved consistency and competitiveness culminated in a dominant performance at the Australian Grand Prix, held at the Phillip Island Circuit. There, Raul Fernandez secured his maiden MotoGP victory for the Trackhouse Racing team, an Aprilia satellite outfit. Complementing this success, factory rider Marco Bezzecchi finished third, overcoming a double long-lap penalty.

Prior to the Australian round, the Indonesian Grand Prix at the Mandalika International Street Circuit also showcased the Aprilia RS-GP’s capabilities. Bezzecchi clinched pole position with a substantial four-tenth of a second advantage and spearheaded an Aprilia 1-2 finish in the sprint race, further underscoring the team’s enhanced performance.

Related News :

The sustained challenge mounted by Aprilia marks the most significant opposition to Ducati’s hegemony since the 2022 season. To date, Aprilia has secured two Grand Prix victories and three sprint race wins in the current season, highlighting its growing competitiveness and the effectiveness of its updated machinery.

Massimo Rivola, in an interview with MotoGP.com, addressed the question of whether Aprilia is prepared to mount a title challenge in the upcoming season, directly confronting the likes of Marc Marquez and the Ducati contingent. "I think that is our target. It must be our target," Rivola asserted, underlining the team’s commitment to aiming for the highest honors.

Rivola elaborated on the team’s aspirations, emphasizing that settling for occasional race wins is no longer sufficient. "We cannot hide that we are [not] happy to win [just] one race or two in a season. We have all the potential. We have everything to win. We have everything to fight for the victory," he stated, conveying the team’s ambition and confidence in its capabilities.

The team’s rider lineup for the upcoming season includes the addition of Jorge Martin, formerly of Ducati’s satellite team, alongside Marco Bezzecchi, who has already established himself as a consistent frontrunner. Rivola acknowledged the importance of a proper pre-season for Martin to integrate into the team and adapt to the Aprilia machinery. He also highlighted the experience that Bezzecchi will bring to the team, expecting him to carry the momentum into the new season.

"We have the riders. We will have Jorge [Martin] back. We need a proper pre-season. Jorge needs to do that. Obviously, Marco will start with the season on his shoulders, so that will be a big experience for him, but Jorge needs to learn to be patient and to work on that," Rivola explained, outlining the team’s strategy for integrating its new riders and leveraging their strengths.

Rivola also emphasized the significance of having a strong satellite team in Trackhouse Racing, expressing satisfaction with Raul Fernandez’s performance and confidence in the potential of Ai Ogura, who is expected to join the team.

"But it’s good also to count on a strong satellite team [Trackhouse]. I’m really happy that Raul is now there and I’m very confident that Ai Ogura will come, because every time we see the progress from Friday to Sunday, Sunday is always the day where he’s the fastest," Rivola noted, highlighting the importance of a cohesive team structure and the potential for growth within the Aprilia camp.

Concluding his assessment, Rivola expressed optimism about Aprilia’s prospects for the future, stating, "So next year, Aprilia can be strong. Obviously, we don’t know where the others will be, but according to what we are doing and the way we are working, I think we will be part of the game."

Aprilia’s strategic moves for the 2025 season included a complete overhaul of its rider lineup, securing the services of Jorge Martin, the runner-up in the previous year’s championship, and multiple race winner Marco Bezzecchi from Ducati’s satellite ranks.

While Martin has faced setbacks this year due to injuries, Bezzecchi has consistently delivered strong performances, culminating in a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix. This result propelled him past factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia into third place in the championship standings, underscoring his growing stature within the sport.

Rivola has been particularly impressed with Bezzecchi’s raw speed and his resilience in overcoming challenges this season. He has expressed confidence in Bezzecchi’s ability to contend for the title in 2026, highlighting his potential to be a key player in Aprilia’s championship aspirations.

"He’s, for sure, the fastest guy on the grid [at the moment] – at least the combination of Aprilia and the rider," Rivola remarked, acknowledging Bezzecchi’s current form and the synergy between rider and machine.

Rivola further elaborated on Bezzecchi’s capabilities, noting his consistent speed across various circuits. "The speed of Marco has always been there. There are signs of speed that are quite clear when you go to a new track, like in India [where] he won. All the fast tracks [like] Assen [and] Argentina, he was always there," he added, pointing to Bezzecchi’s adaptability and ability to perform well on different types of tracks.

Rivola also reflected on Bezzecchi’s early season form, noting his impressive performance during testing in Thailand and the subsequent challenges he faced in translating that speed into consistent results. "At the beginning of the season, we saw that he was very, very fast. The test in Thailand was really impressive for us. And maybe he built [unrealistic] expectations to start [the season] with podiums straight away because the speed was there," Rivola explained, acknowledging the initial high expectations and the subsequent adjustments required.

He highlighted the adaptation process involved in switching to a new bike and the time needed to build confidence in its performance, particularly in single-lap situations. "Then we moved to Argentina. When you change the bike, you need a bit of time to build your confidence on the performance, especially on the single lap, when you have to get the maximum out of the bike," Rivola stated, emphasizing the technical aspects of adapting to new machinery.

Rivola concluded by expressing his belief in Bezzecchi’s potential to be a title contender, citing his recovery and consistent improvement throughout the season. "I remember in Jerez, I remember in Le Mans, we saw the recovery he made. We saw that the speed was there, it was just a matter of putting everything together. So, I think he will be a title contender [next year]," Rivola affirmed, reinforcing his confidence in Bezzecchi’s capabilities.

In the MotoGP constructors’ standings, Aprilia currently holds second place with 345 points, with three rounds remaining in the season. Ducati leads the standings with 671 championship points, underscoring the challenge that Aprilia faces in closing the gap and ultimately vying for the championship title.

The declaration of Aprilia’s ambition to contend for the 2026 MotoGP title marks a significant development in the sport, signaling a shift in the competitive dynamics and a potential challenge to Ducati’s dominance. With a strong rider lineup, improved machinery, and a cohesive team structure, Aprilia is poised to make a serious push for the championship in the coming years.

The next race on the MotoGP calendar is the Qatar Airways Grand Prix, which will take place in Lusail, Qatar. The final race of the season will take place in Valencia, Spain at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.