Aprilia Racing’s Rise in MotoGP: A Detailed Analysis of Performance and Strategy

In the world of MotoGP, where the competition is fierce, Aprilia Racing has carved a significant niche for itself, emerging as a formidable contender amidst dominant forces like Ducati and Marc Marquez. Over the past few years, Aprilia has consistently challenged the leading teams, particularly Ducati, showcasing remarkable performance and resilience. The 2025 season marks a pivotal year for the Noale factory as it has successfully addressed previous shortcomings, especially in terms of consistency.

Aprilia’s Performance Overview

Throughout its participation in MotoGP, Aprilia has demonstrated a steady improvement in its race performance. The statistics from recent years illustrate this upward trajectory:

(*Season ongoing)

Historically, the Aprilia RS-GP has exhibited exceptional performance, especially on certain tracks like Barcelona, where it thrived. However, its peak capabilities often came with a narrow performance window, limiting its versatility compared to rivals like KTM. This performance gap allowed KTM to surpass Aprilia in the constructors’ standings for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

As MotoGP approaches the end of its current regulation cycle, Aprilia has made significant strides to enhance the RS-GP, transforming it into a versatile prototype that can compete across a variety of circuit types. Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia, remarked on the evolution of the bike, stating, “Clearly, we were very fast on the flowing parts, which was a strong characteristic of Aprilia. However, we are now becoming more competitive on stop/go tracks as well. Overall, the bike is getting better and better.”

Leadership and Technical Advancements

A crucial turning point for Aprilia came with the change in leadership at the end of 2024. Fabiano Sterlacchini, who previously worked with Gigi Dall’Igna at Ducati, took over as technical director after a three-year tenure at KTM. Under Sterlacchini’s guidance, Aprilia has made remarkable advancements with the RS-GP, achieving podium finishes in six out of the last nine Grands Prix.

One of the notable improvements has been addressing long-standing issues with the bike, such as its tendency to overheat in high ambient temperatures on certain Asian tracks. While the technical specifics of these enhancements remain confidential, it’s clear that the growing consistency has fostered confidence within the team.

Sterlacchini emphasized the importance of belief in their work, stating, “In this kind of sport, part of achieving success is technique and part is motivation: how much you believe that everything is right. There isn’t always a straightforward formula; you must trust the results of your efforts.”

In a season where they often operated as a one-rider team due to injuries to Jorge Martin, the consistency and self-belief within Aprilia have proven invaluable. Marco Bezzecchi, who joined the team for the 2025 season, has emerged as a reliable performer, securing a notable victory at the British Grand Prix and nearly repeating that success in Indonesia.

The Challenges of Competitive Racing

In the Indonesian GP, Aprilia showcased strong performance reminiscent of their earlier success, with Bezzecchi taking pole position and demonstrating remarkable recovery from eighth to win the sprint race. However, the quest for a more well-rounded bike has come at the cost of their previous strengths on specific tracks like Barcelona.

In 2023, Aprilia achieved a notable 1-2 finish at the Catalan GP, a moment that illustrated their capability to outpace Ducati. However, in 2024, while Aleix Espargaro managed to secure pole and win a sprint at his home race, the 2025 season has seen a shift. No Aprilia riders qualified or finished within the top five at the Catalan GP this year.

Sterlacchini clarified that this isn’t due to a regression in performance but rather a reflection of how quickly competitors are improving. He stated, “Sometimes performance is relative. If our bike is faster than last year, that’s an objective fact, but if others have improved more, it can seem like we have taken a step back.”

During the recent Catalan GP, the competition was fierce, with the Marquez brothers battling for supremacy. Gresini rider Alex Marquez ultimately clinched victory on last year’s Ducati GP24, while Enea Bastianini lagged behind on the Tech3 KTM. The top Aprilia rider, Ai Ogura, finished sixth after Bezzecchi was involved in an early incident.

Competing for the ‘Best of the Rest’

Despite facing challenges, Aprilia’s trajectory remains upward. Although they may be competing with fewer riders due to injuries, the RS-GP is poised to chase a historic second place in the constructors’ championship. Their primary competitor is KTM, which has also made significant progress with its new aero package. However, the performance of KTM’s RC16 has been inconsistent, providing Aprilia with a 28-point advantage in the standings with four rounds remaining.

Sterlacchini expressed his ambition for the team, stating, “One of our focuses at the beginning of the season was to finish in the top five of the riders’ championship and win our battle with KTM to secure second place, right after Ducati. This is a reasonable target considering Aprilia’s results in recent years.”

Throughout the season, Aprilia has faced setbacks that were often beyond their control. For instance, they suffered two point losses at the Catalan GP due to incidents that were not caused by the team or their riders. Despite these challenges, they have managed to recoup some points thanks to Ogura’s commendable performance in other races.

The Future of Aprilia Racing

As the 2025 season progresses, it becomes clear that the final piece of the puzzle for Aprilia lies in its rider lineup. With both Martin and Ogura sidelined due to injuries, Aprilia has faced additional pressure. Bezzecchi’s mistake on the opening lap of the Indonesian GP left only Raul Fernandez to represent the team, who finished sixth after a challenging race against Honda’s Luca Marini.

If Aprilia can field a full roster of healthy and competitive riders, they could emerge as serious challengers to Ducati in the upcoming seasons. The potential for further development of the RS-GP, combined with a strong rider lineup, could position Aprilia to not only compete for podium finishes but also challenge for the championship itself.

As Aprilia Racing continues to evolve, the combination of strategic leadership, technical advancements, and the unwavering determination of its riders will be crucial in defining its legacy in MotoGP. The journey ahead promises to be exciting, filled with challenges as well as opportunities for triumph.