Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola on the brand’s current strong run, the absence of Ducati star Marc Marquez, and the technical balancing act between 2026 and 2027
Aprilia currently has the MotoGP scene firmly under control. After five of the 22 race weekends in the 2026 season, the two factory riders—Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin—occupy the top two spots in the rider standings, while the two riders from the factory-supported Trackhouse team—Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez—are in fifth and sixth place. In the team standings, the two Aprilia teams occupy the top two positions. And, of course, Aprilia is also at the very front of the manufacturers’ standings.
At the French Grand Prix in Le Mans last weekend, for the first time in MotoGP history, the podium was entirely occupied by Aprilia riders. Jorge Martin celebrated his first Grand Prix victory with the Noale-based brand, while championship leader Marco Bezzecchi, who has already won three races this season, finished in second place. Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura secured third place, marking his first MotoGP podium finish and the first for his home country of Japan in more than 13 years.
The Aprilia RS-GP26, used by both the factory team and the Trackhouse team, is currently the clear benchmark in the field. With its innovative technical solutions, not least the Formula 1-inspired “F-Duct,” Aprilia has even been outpacing Ducati so far with this year’s bike. However, following the resounding success at Le Mans, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola is careful not to get carried away.
“We’re talking about half a tenth of a second here. The gap to KTM and Ducati is negligible,” says Rivola, who also notes in this context that Ducati star Marc Marquez has not been able to ride at the top of his game in the races so far this season and is now out of action once again following the sprint at Le Mans because he had to undergo surgery on both his right shoulder and his right foot.
“I wish Marc all the best and hope he comes back 100% fit,” says Rivola, explaining: “After all, we want to compete against the best bike and the best rider. We want to see what we can achieve under the best possible conditions.”
Perception of the Aprilia brand “completely different today”
Whether with or without Marc Marquez at his best: The form Aprilia has consistently displayed so far in the 2026 MotoGP season is already reminiscent of the Italian brand’s dominance, as once seen in the smaller classes—the 125cc and 250cc classes at the time. Does the current strong MotoGP form also have an impact on sales figures?
“Absolutely,” Rivola assures us. His explanation: “Victories, especially MotoGP victories, boost the brand’s reputation and sales. It’s not quite like it used to be, when you’d win on Sunday and sell on Monday. But it definitely helps a lot.”
“The perception of Aprilia today is completely different from what it was just a few years ago. But I don’t think we can speak of a phase of dominance. Only five races have been run—five good races, to be sure—but the season is long, and MotoGP isn’t the 125cc or 250cc classes. It’s a whole different ballgame,” says the Aprilia CEO.
Not least due to the situation surrounding Marc Marquez, who will have to sit out at least this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona, there are many indications at this point that the two Aprilia factory riders, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, will battle it out for the 2026 world title.
Rivola isn’t afraid of 2027—on the contrary…
The intriguing question that arises in this context: How will this affect the development of the 850cc Aprilia for the 2027 MotoGP season, given the fundamentally new Technical Regulations that will be in effect then?
“If you ask me which motorcycle is the best, I always say, ‘the next one,’” Rivola grins. “Why? Quite simply because I keep saying that I see an even better company [in Noale] year after year.”
“I’d also like to give a big shout-out to Fabiano Sterlacchini,” says the Aprilia CEO, referring to the technical director who joined Aprilia from KTM a year and a half ago. “He’s bringing in the final pieces of the puzzle that, in my opinion, we were still missing to become a strong company: a racing company with very fast time-to-market, a racing-oriented approach to problems, and swift decision-making.”
“Of course,” Rivola continues, “we want to achieve the best possible results with the RS-GP26 throughout the entire season. But I am very confident that we won’t have to make any compromises for 2027. The fact is that we will incorporate all the know-how we are currently acquiring into the development for 2027. Although the regulations will be different, ultimately everything we’re learning now will be very useful for next year.”
The first test rides with the 850cc Aprilia for the 2027 MotoGP season took place a few days ago in Jerez (Spain). Lorenzo Savadori was in the saddle of the new bike; he has been Aprilia’s official test and development rider for many years and occasionally makes wildcard appearances or—when necessary—steps in for injured regular riders.
