Aprilia places "a lot of hope" in its RS-GP26

After an exceptional end to the 2025 season, highlighted by two victories in the last two races in Portugal and Valencia (Spain), Aprilia is under pressure to deliver. Marco Bezzecchi took advantage of Marc Márquez's absence – due to injury – to rack up a series of wins. He now hopes to continue this run of results by taking on the nine-time world champion.

To achieve this, they will rely on the Aprilia RS-GP26, a new machine developed by the Italian manufacturer. Compared to last year's specification, this latest version features numerous aerodynamic improvements, a new chassis, and engine development, within the limits of the parts permitted by the technical regulations. Under the leadership of Fabiano Sterlacchini, technical director of Noale, Aprilia firmly believes it can raise its game.

“We are approaching the 2026 season knowing perfectly well who we are and where we want to go,” confides Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing. We're coming off a strong 2025 season that allowed us to reach an extremely high level of competitiveness, and our goal now is to fight in every race.

To achieve this, the team will adopt two different approaches. The first, results-oriented, will support Marco Bezzecchi's ambitions. The second, focused on learning, will aim to bring Jorge Martín back to his former level after a season marred by serious and recurring injuries.

“We will follow two different paths in the garage, He continues. On the one hand, we want to pick up where we left off at the end of last season with Marco, and on the other hand, we're going to work a lot with Jorge. We have great faith in the RS-GP26 and maintain that it has great potential, just like our drivers.

Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín won't be the only ones riding the RS-GP26, as the Trackhouse Racing riders, Aprilia's satellite team, will also be equipped with it. Like the two factory riders, Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura will return to the track from February 3rd to 5th for the start of pre-season testing in Sepang, Malaysia, which will give us an initial idea of ​​the pecking order for the 2026 season.

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