Aprilia believes it heads into the 2026 MotoGP season closely following Ducati after the official pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. While the Italian manufacturer has made measurable gains on its RS-GP bike, Ducati continues to lead the field and set the benchmark for rivals.
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said the team is encouraged by the progress of its 2026 machine compared with the previous season but stressed that improvements from other manufacturers have limited the relative gains. Rivola pointed out that Honda and KTM also showed stronger pace in Sepang, reinforcing the challenge Aprilia faces.
“We are happy that the 2026 bike is better than the 2025 bike,” Rivola said. “It shows that Noale is capable of developing a competitive machine. But almost every team improved, and Ducati remains the reference.”
Source: Motorspots.com
Ducati’s strength was clear throughout testing, with Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez setting the fastest lap of the three-day session. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi posted competitive times that kept the RS-GP close on the timesheets, but Rivola believes definitive conclusions are premature given the variables in tyre use and testing conditions.
The Sepang test also highlighted Ducati’s advantage in sprint simulations, where multiple Ducati riders showed consistent race pace, reinforcing their status as the team to beat in 2026. Rivola said Aprilia will focus on continuing development through the next pre-season test in Buriram, Thailand, and beyond.
Aprilia plans to bring further refinements to the RS-GP before the season begins, with data from Sepang guiding final adjustments. While the core design is largely defined, minor updates are expected to help the bike adapt to different circuits and conditions.
With Ducati still holding the edge after the first official test, Aprilia’s aspiration to close the gap reflects both optimism and realism. Rivola said the competitive landscape is shaping up to be strong across the field, making the 2026 season one to watch.
