Aprilia's Ascent: Becoming Ducati's Strongest MotoGP Rival
Aprilia has dramatically elevated its standing in the MotoGP championship, transforming into a formidable adversary for the dominant Ducati team. This season marks their most impressive performance yet, despite contending with the absence of a key rider who was expected to spearhead their progress. The strategic and technical refinements implemented by the Noale factory have addressed previous inconsistencies, enabling them to regularly vie for top positions on the podium and challenge for the constructor's runner-up title.
A pivotal moment in Aprilia's resurgence occurred with the appointment of Fabiano Sterlacchini as technical director at the close of 2024. Sterlacchini, formerly a key figure at Gigi Dall’Igna’s Ducati team and later at KTM, brought invaluable experience and expertise to Aprilia. Under his guidance, the RS-GP machine has undergone substantial advancements, particularly evident in its improved adaptability across diverse circuit characteristics. This progress has led to an impressive streak of six podium finishes in the last nine Grand Prix races, showcasing a newfound level of competitive consistency.
Historically, the RS-GP excelled on specific track layouts, such as Barcelona, demonstrating exceptional peak performance. However, its limited operational window meant it often struggled on other circuits, hindering its overall versatility compared to rivals. This weakness allowed competitors like KTM to surpass them in the constructors' standings in prior seasons. Sterlacchini's leadership has been instrumental in broadening the bike's performance envelope, enabling it to perform competitively even on 'stop-and-go' tracks, a significant departure from its previous specialization.
Massimo Rivola, Aprilia's CEO, highlighted this evolution, noting that while their bikes were once characterized by speed on flowing sections, they now exhibit enhanced competitiveness across all circuit types. He emphasized that the machine is progressively improving, becoming more adaptable and robust. This adaptability is critical as the current MotoGP regulation cycle draws to a close, positioning Aprilia favorably for future contests.
The transformation at Aprilia extends beyond mere technical upgrades; it encompasses a significant boost in team morale and self-belief. Sterlacchini explained that success in motorsports is a blend of technical prowess and unwavering motivation. He believes that consistent performance fosters confidence, which in turn drives further improvements. Despite facing challenges, including key riders being sidelined by injuries, Aprilia has managed to maintain a strong presence, relying on the capabilities of riders like Marco Bezzecchi, who secured a victory at the British Grand Prix and demonstrated strong potential in Indonesia.
While Aprilia has made impressive strides in overall consistency, there has been a noticeable shift in their performance at specific venues. For instance, at the Catalan Grand Prix, where Aprilia once achieved a dominant 1-2 finish in 2023, their performance in 2025 was less stellar, with no rider finishing in the top five. Sterlacchini attributes this not to a decline in Aprilia's abilities, but rather to the accelerated progress of other teams who have focused their development efforts on circuits where they previously lagged. He pointed out that Ducati, after Aprilia's strong showing in 2023, likely prioritized testing and development at tracks like Barcelona, thereby closing the performance gap.
Aprilia remains committed to its objective of securing second place in the constructors' championship, despite the challenges posed by rider injuries and the intense competition from KTM. The team acknowledges that some points have been lost due to errors and external factors, such as accidents beyond their control. Nevertheless, the overarching trajectory for Aprilia is one of continuous improvement and increased competitiveness, making them a serious contender against Ducati in the upcoming seasons as they strive to optimize their rider lineup and consolidate their gains.