Unstoppable Aprilia: Rising to the Top of MotoGP
In a MotoGP season dominated by the likes of Marc Marquez and Ducati, one manufacturer has emerged as a formidable force, consistently challenging the red bikes and keeping them on their toes. But here's where it gets controversial: it's not just about winning races; it's about the journey and the evolution of a team.
For almost 30 months, MotoGP has witnessed a battle between Ducati and Aprilia, with other manufacturers struggling to keep up. However, 2025 has seen Aprilia take a giant leap forward, addressing a critical aspect that had eluded them - consistency.
Aprilia's Journey to the Top
Over the past few years, Aprilia has showcased an impressive performance, with multiple wins and podiums. Their RS-GP has been a force to be reckoned with, especially on certain circuits like Barcelona, where they dominated in 2023. But their journey hasn't been without challenges.
In many ways, Aprilia's story mirrors that of Ducati in the late 2010s. They had a rocket-fast bike, but it lacked versatility, a weakness that allowed KTM to edge them out in previous seasons.
But something remarkable happened. As MotoGP approached the end of its regulation cycle, Aprilia transformed the RS-GP into a prototype that could compete on all circuit types.
"We were incredibly fast on the flowing parts," Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, explained. "But now, we're also competitive on stop/go tracks. The bike is getting better and better."
A significant turning point came with the leadership change in 2024. Fabiano Sterlacchini, the former right-hand man of Gigi Dall'Igna, joined Aprilia as the technical director, bringing a fresh perspective and expertise.
Under Sterlacchini's leadership, Aprilia has made massive strides. They've achieved podium finishes in six out of the last nine grands prix, and they've addressed long-standing issues with the bike, such as overheating in certain Asian tracks.
The exact technical details behind their progress remain a closely guarded secret, but one thing is clear: Aprilia's consistency has boosted their confidence and belief in the project.
"In this sport, success is about technique and motivation," Sterlacchini shared. "You have to believe in your work and trust the results. Consistency is key; it's not just about one race, but building upon that performance."
For a team that has faced challenges with injuries, this consistency has been invaluable. Aprilia has been able to rely on riders like Marco Bezzecchi, who delivered a stunning victory in the British Grand Prix and was poised for another win in Indonesia until a rare mistake on the opening lap.
The Trade-Off: Losing Strengths, Gaining Versatility
While Aprilia has made significant improvements, they've also faced trade-offs. Their previous strengths on tracks like Barcelona have slightly diminished. In 2023, they dominated with a 1-2 finish at the Catalan GP, but in 2024 and 2025, their performance dropped, with no Aprilia qualifying or finishing in the top five.
Sterlacchini believes this isn't a step backward but rather a sign of the intense competition. "Performance is relative," he explained. "While our bike is faster, others have improved more. It's easy to draw conclusions, but we've improved our lap times; we're better, but others have done a better job."
The Fight for 'Best of the Rest'
Despite losing their inherent advantage in Barcelona, Aprilia's overall trend is upward. They're competing with half the riders, but the RS-GP remains a strong contender for a historic second place in the constructors' championship.
Their main rival is KTM, which has experienced its own resurgence with a new aero package. However, Aprilia maintains a 28-point buffer in the standings, giving them a strong position with four rounds remaining.
"Our focus was to finish in the top five and win the battle with KTM to be second after Ducati," Sterlacchini said. "We've had some setbacks, but our target is clear - to finish second in the manufacturers' championship."
As the Indonesian GP showed, Aprilia's rider lineup is the last piece of the puzzle. With injuries sidelining key riders, they faced a challenging weekend. Bezzecchi's mistake left Fernandez as the sole flag-bearer, finishing sixth after a battle with Honda's Luca Marini.
If Aprilia can get their riders firing together, they could become a serious threat to Ducati next season.
So, what do you think? Will Aprilia continue their rise, or will their rivals catch up? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments below!
