Unstoppable Aprilia: Rising to the Top of MotoGP
In a MotoGP season where Marc Marquez and Ducati have dominated the headlines, Aprilia has quietly emerged as a formidable force, challenging the red bikes and keeping them on their toes. It's been nearly 30 months since any manufacturer other than Ducati or Aprilia has tasted victory in a dry-weather race, and Aprilia's consistent performance has been a game-changer.
The Evolution of Aprilia's Success
Over the past few years, Aprilia has shown remarkable growth. While they had their moments of glory, such as the dominant 1-2 finish at the 2023 Catalan GP, there were also areas of improvement. Their bike, the RS-GP, had an incredible peak performance, making it nearly unbeatable on certain tracks. However, its narrow performance window limited its versatility, allowing rivals like KTM to edge them out in the constructors' standings.
A Turning Point: Leadership Change and Technical Advancements
The year 2025 marked a significant turning point for Aprilia. With a leadership change at the end of 2024, Fabiano Sterlacchini, the former right-hand man of Gigi Dall'Igna, joined Aprilia as the technical director. Under Sterlacchini's guidance, Aprilia made massive strides with the RS-GP, achieving podium finishes in six out of the last nine grands prix. They addressed long-standing issues, including overheating problems at certain Asian tracks.
The Secret to Aprilia's Rising Consistency
While Aprilia's technical advancements are closely guarded, their growing consistency has undoubtedly boosted morale and belief within the team. Sterlacchini emphasizes the importance of motivation and belief alongside technical expertise. He believes that consistency is key, and Aprilia's recent performance proves they are on the right track.
A One-Rider Team's Success
Despite operating as a one-rider team for much of the season due to Martin's injuries, Aprilia's consistency and self-belief have been invaluable. Marco Bezzecchi, a 2025 signing, stepped up and delivered a fine victory in the British Grand Prix. In Indonesia, he was set for another win until a rare opening-lap error.
The Trade-Off: Rounded Bike, Lost Strengths
While Aprilia has improved its overall performance, there's been a slight trade-off. Tracks like Barcelona, where Aprilia dominated in 2023, have seen a decline in their performance. Sterlacchini believes this is not due to Aprilia's regression but rather the rapid improvements made by their rivals.
The Fight for 'Best of the Rest'
Despite losing its inherent advantage in Barcelona, Aprilia's overall trajectory is upward. They are competing with half the riders but remain strong enough to chase a historic second place in the constructors' championship. Their main rival, KTM, has also shown a resurgence, but Aprilia's consistent performance gives them a 28-point buffer with four rounds remaining.
The Final Piece: Rider Line-Up
As Aprilia looks ahead, their rider line-up is the last piece of the puzzle. With injuries sidelining key riders, Aprilia needs all its riders firing together to become a serious challenger to Ducati next season. If they can achieve this, the sky's the limit for this rising MotoGP force.
So, what do you think? Is Aprilia's rise to the top sustainable? Will they continue to challenge Ducati? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
