Praising the executives main Aprilia is the simplest factor on the planet at present. Far more durable was defending them not so way back – on the finish of 2024, for example – when , the best-placed rider from the Noale-based outfit, completed the season ninth general whereas virtually cursing a motorbike whose efficiency, in his view, modified dramatically from one circuit to a different.
At moments like that, the temptation is to panic and tear every little thing up structurally, as KTM did. The Austrian producer remains to be paying the value for a shake-up that now seems rushed and missing in correct evaluation.
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In distinction, what Aprilia is experiencing at present is the best sporting second in its historical past, and that takes nothing away from the string of titles it collected greater than a decade in the past within the championship’s smaller classes.
The Italian marque claimed 10 of the 15 podium spots out there to date this season, in comparison with Ducati’s three and KTM’s two. It has received 4 of the 5 races held to date in 2026, with final weekend’s clear sweep at Le Mans serving as the newest and clearest expression of the components that has carried Piaggio’s racing arm to the highest of MotoGP’s pyramid.
There isn’t a hidden secret behind that success. It’s the results of a working philosophy remarkably just like the one which lately elevated Ducati – and, simply as importantly, of resilience and perseverance.
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The place KTM misplaced endurance and lurched from a hiring frenzy to a wave of dismissals in lower than two years, Aprilia endured the troublesome moments and is now reaping the rewards with apparent satisfaction. That satisfaction grows even better when one considers that, in accordance with rival workforce sources consulted by Motorsport.com, Aprilia can also be probably the most environment friendly producer on the grid relative to its MotoGP funding.
Massimo Rivola is the architect of Aprilia’s MotoGP programme
Massimo Rivola is the architect of Aprilia’s MotoGP programme
If there are people who deserve specific credit score for shaping Aprilia’s rise, three names stand above the remainder due to their positions and tasks throughout the construction: Massimo Rivola, CEO of the racing division and architect of the MotoGP venture; Fabiano Sterlacchini, the technical director; and Marco de Luca, head of improvement.
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Rivola arrived forward of the 2019 season from Ferrari, the place he had labored throughout a number of departments. De Luca adopted him from the Scuderia. The arrival of the Italian aerodynamic specialist – and the boldness positioned each in him and the group round him – helps clarify why Aprilia has lengthy been working on the forefront of aerodynamics, to the purpose that a few of its improvements, such because the under-seat winglet, have change into trendsetters throughout the grid.
The flashes of brilliance seen in 2022 – when delivered Aprilia’s first MotoGP victory and remained in title rivalry till the closing phases of the championship – weren’t sustained over the following two seasons. But that setback didn’t set off drastic measures. As a substitute, Aprilia stayed the course and strengthened the organisation with one other signing who would inject much more power into an already deeply dedicated and bold group.
“We’ve to thank Fabiano for all of the work he has performed,” Rivola advised a bunch of journalists in Le Mans that included Motorsport.com. “He gave us what we had been lacking. He introduced us the mindset of a real racing firm in relation to coping with issues.”
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And what precisely does Rivola imply by that “racing mindset”? Sooner decision-making – and shorter response occasions.
Motorsport.com understands that Sterlacchini’s administration type differs significantly from that of Romano Albesiano, Aprilia’s former technical director who later moved to Honda, and whose position was finally stuffed by the previous KTM engineer. In truth, Sterlacchini himself was as soon as approached by HRC, though the 2 sides by no means reached an settlement for varied causes.
Aprilia has claimed 10 of the 15 podium spots out there in 2026
Aprilia has claimed 10 of the 15 podium spots out there in 2026
Most members of Aprilia’s engineering group spotlight the liberty he provides them and the room he creates for proposing options. That ambiance fuels enthusiasm internally and generates further motivation – one of many key substances behind Aprilia’s success.
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At this level, with the most effective bike on the grid sitting in its storage and Ducati considerably destabilised by the uncertainty surrounding ’s damage – “We want Marc a full restoration as a result of we wish to compete towards the most effective,” Rivola mentioned of the Spaniard – the one seen hazard could come from inside. A lot will depend upon what unfolds on monitor between and .
Not solely as a result of tensions between them might escalate in future on-track clashes, one thing that now feels nearly inevitable, but additionally as a result of the Italian could finally really feel it unfair that he carried out the majority of the event work on a machine that has now change into the benchmark – just for his team-mate, who is ready to depart in 2027, to reap the advantages.
Nonetheless, somebody like Rivola, hardened by years navigating Method 1’s shark-infested waters, has nearly actually anticipated the problem already – and sure devised a technique to handle it.
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