Fabiano Sterlacchini Hailed as Architect of Aprilia's MotoGP Resurgence

Aprilia’s dramatic ascent in the MotoGP world championship has been attributed to the strategic acumen of their new Technical Director, Fabiano Sterlacchini, whose impact is lauded by riders Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez.

Sterlacchini’s arrival at Aprilia at the close of the 2024 season marked a turning point for the Italian manufacturer. His prior experiences at KTM and Ducati, the latter involving close collaboration with Ducati’s General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna, equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise that he has since channeled into revitalizing Aprilia’s MotoGP program.

Under Sterlacchini’s guidance, Aprilia has recorded its most successful season in the premier class of motorcycle racing. The team has secured victories at the British and Australian Grands Prix, demonstrating the competitiveness of the revamped RS-GP machine. Aprilia now occupies the second position in the manufacturers’ standings, trailing only the dominant Ducati squad.

While Aprilia had tasted victory in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the RS-GP’s transformation under Sterlacchini’s technical direction is palpable. The bike now exhibits consistent performance across diverse track layouts, a testament to Aprilia’s successful resolution of persistent weaknesses, including heat management issues that previously plagued their performance at Asian venues.

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Factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi has been particularly vocal in his praise of Sterlacchini, emphasizing the Italian engineer’s intelligence, extensive experience, and approachable demeanor as crucial factors in the team’s progress during the 2025 season.

"First of all, he is a super intelligent person – not just on the motorbikes side, but in general, you can speak about everything and he knows many many things," Bezzecchi remarked. "This is super cool because having a conversation outside of racing is super nice with him. In terms of racing, his know-how is super big and he has a lot of experience. He is also a nice character so he doesn’t put you in a difficult situation. When I speak sometimes with some [other] engineers, I feel [I know] a bit less than them in terms of knowledge. With Fabiano, it is super different, it’s amazing to stay with him. He has a lot of experience, he’s super calm and super professional, and I feel very good with him."

Raul Fernandez, currently riding for the Trackhouse Racing team, has also acknowledged Sterlacchini’s influence. Fernandez first encountered Sterlacchini’s expertise in 2022 when he made his MotoGP debut with Tech3 KTM. This season, Fernandez secured his maiden MotoGP victory at the Australian Grand Prix, a triumph he partly attributes to Sterlacchini’s guidance.

"It was a little bit strange at the beginning because I had the possibility to work with him at KTM when I just came to MotoGP, but we didn’t really work together," Fernandez explained. "This year, at the beginning of the season I didn’t have enough time to work with him because of my injury, but during the last GPs he was the person helping me to make the last step to arrive at this kind of position. I am super happy to work with him. It’s true that he is a super good person. But also in my case, he helped me a lot, especially in the last moment when I had to make the final step."

The 2025 MotoGP season marks a significant milestone in Aprilia’s racing history. The manufacturer’s resurgence is a culmination of strategic investment, technical innovation, and the recruitment of key personnel, with Fabiano Sterlacchini emerging as the central figure in this transformation. His ability to foster a collaborative environment, coupled with his deep understanding of motorcycle dynamics, has enabled Aprilia to unlock the full potential of the RS-GP machine.

Aprilia’s MotoGP History and Recent Performance:

Aprilia’s involvement in Grand Prix motorcycle racing dates back to 1985 when they entered the 250cc class. The Italian manufacturer has achieved considerable success in the smaller displacement classes, securing multiple world championships in the 125cc and 250cc categories. However, their journey in the premier class has been more challenging.

Aprilia first participated in the 500cc class in 1994 with a two-stroke machine. They later transitioned to the MotoGP era in 2002 with a three-cylinder four-stroke engine. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, Aprilia struggled to consistently compete with the established manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati.

In 2004, Aprilia withdrew from MotoGP to focus on their World Superbike Championship program. They returned to MotoGP as a factory team in 2015, partnering with Gresini Racing. The initial years of their comeback were marked by limited success, with the team primarily focused on developing their RS-GP machine.

The 2021 season saw a significant step forward for Aprilia, as Aleix Espargaro secured the team’s first MotoGP podium finish at the British Grand Prix. In 2022, Espargaro delivered Aprilia’s first MotoGP victory at the Argentine Grand Prix, ending a long wait for the Italian manufacturer.

The 2023 season saw further progress, with Aprilia securing multiple podium finishes and consistently challenging for race wins. Maverick Vinales also contributed to the team’s success, showcasing the potential of the RS-GP machine.

The 2024 season was a year of consolidation for Aprilia, as they continued to refine their motorcycle and develop their rider lineup. While they did not achieve as many victories as in 2023, they remained a competitive force in the championship.

Fabiano Sterlacchini’s Career Prior to Aprilia:

Fabiano Sterlacchini’s career in motorcycle racing spans several decades, during which he has accumulated a wealth of experience in various technical roles. Before joining Aprilia, Sterlacchini held prominent positions at KTM and Ducati, two of the most successful manufacturers in MotoGP.

During his tenure at Ducati, Sterlacchini worked closely with Gigi Dall’Igna, the General Manager of Ducati Corse. Dall’Igna is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in MotoGP, having played a key role in Ducati’s resurgence in recent years. Sterlacchini’s collaboration with Dall’Igna provided him with invaluable insights into the technical and strategic aspects of MotoGP racing.

Sterlacchini’s experience at KTM also proved to be beneficial, as he gained a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing a competitive MotoGP machine. His work at KTM contributed to the Austrian manufacturer’s rapid progress in the premier class.

Impact on Riders:

The appointment of Sterlacchini as Technical Director has had a tangible impact on Aprilia’s riders, particularly Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez. Bezzecchi has praised Sterlacchini’s ability to communicate effectively and his willingness to listen to rider feedback. This collaborative approach has enabled Bezzecchi to extract the maximum performance from the RS-GP machine.

Fernandez, who previously worked with Sterlacchini at KTM, has also benefited from the Italian engineer’s expertise. Sterlacchini’s guidance has helped Fernandez to adapt to the Aprilia motorcycle and to improve his overall performance. Fernandez’s victory at the Australian Grand Prix is a testament to the positive impact of Sterlacchini’s influence.

Future Prospects:

Aprilia’s resurgence in MotoGP is not solely attributable to Sterlacchini’s arrival, but his leadership and technical expertise have undoubtedly played a crucial role. The Italian manufacturer has invested heavily in its MotoGP program in recent years, and the appointment of Sterlacchini is a clear indication of their commitment to achieving success in the premier class.

With a talented rider lineup, a competitive motorcycle, and a highly skilled technical team, Aprilia is well-positioned to challenge for race wins and podium finishes in the coming seasons. The team’s ultimate goal is to compete for the MotoGP world championship, and with Fabiano Sterlacchini at the helm, they have a strong foundation to build upon.

Upcoming Fixtures:

As the 2025 MotoGP season progresses, Aprilia faces a series of challenging races that will test the competitiveness of their RS-GP machine and the resilience of their riders. The upcoming fixtures include races at various circuits around the world, each presenting unique demands on both the motorcycles and the riders.

Aprilia will need to maintain its focus and continue to develop its motorcycle if it hopes to challenge Ducati for the manufacturers’ championship. The team’s riders will also need to perform at their best if they want to secure race wins and podium finishes.

The remainder of the 2025 MotoGP season promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, with Aprilia poised to play a significant role in the championship battle.