Aprilia has officially announced that the launch of its 2026 MotoGP season will take place on January 15th in Milan, a symbolic choice for a manufacturer that now intends to establish itself as a key player in the premier class. After a 2025 season that was as eventful as it was paradoxically successful, the Noale-based brand approaches 2026 with clear ambitions: to transform potential into consistency and directly challenge Ducati's dominance.
On paper, 2025 was supposed to be the year of confirmation. Aprilia had made a strong impact by recruiting George Martin, the 2024 MotoGP world champion, representing a major sporting and media investment. But very quickly, the scenario took an unpredictable turn. A heavy crash during preseason testing delayed the Spaniard's entry into the season, before a training accident sidelined him for the first three races. The hardest blow came in Qatar, where a third serious accident kept him off the track until the Czech Republic Grand Prix in July.
In this tense context, the relationship between Martin et Aprilia reached a breaking point. The Madrid player attempted to activate a performance clause to free himself from his contract, an initiative immediately rejected by the Italian factory, which did not hesitate to consider legal action. The highly publicized case has finally been resolved. Martin confirmed his commitment for a second season, despite further absences later in the year due to other injuries.
And yet, despite this constant instability, Aprilia has had its best season ever in MotoGP. The RS-GP won four Grands Prix: Marco Bezzecchi triumphed at Silverstone, Portimao and Valencia, establishing himself as the sporting pillar of the project, while Raul Fernandez, a TrackHouse rider, added a resounding victory in Australia.
Aprilia: From instability to maturity for a declared title contender?
These performances propelled Aprilia in second place in the constructors' championship, while allowing Bezzecchi to finish third in the drivers' standings. Results that change the brand's status: Aprilia is no longer a dangerous outsider, but a credible title contender.
The Milan launch of 15 janvier is part of an extremely busy week for the paddock MotoGP.
Pramac Yamaha will open the ball January 13 in Siena, with the first official appearance of Toprak Razgatlioglu in its new colors.
VR46 will unveil its livery on January 14 in Rome, after having already let slip a few visual clues.
Ducati Factory will hold its traditional event at Madonna di Campiglio on January 19, with Marc Marquez in search of an eighth world title.
Gresini Racing team will close the procession January 31 in Kuala Lumpur, after the Sepang tests.
Finally, MotoGP will host an official event season launch over two days, the February 6 and 7, also at Kuala Lumpur, after the initial winter tests.
The meeting of Milan It will therefore be more than just a livery presentation. It will symbolize a key moment for Aprilia : that of the transition from a bold, sometimes chaotic project to a mature structure, equipped to compete for the title over the long term.
With a high-performance RS-GP, a Bezzecchi at the peak of his art and a George Martin to be fully relaunched Aprilia approaches 2026 with a new conviction: the time for promises is over, the time for accountability begins.
