The end of the 2025 season offered a clear conclusion: in the absence of Marc Marquez, Aprilia was the manufacturer to beat. Marco Bezzecchi's double victory in the last two Grands Prix confirmed the meteoric rise of the Noale-based manufacturer, which won three of the four final races without its newly recruited 2024 champion, Jorge Martin.
The Rimini driver finished third in the championship thanks to a constantly improving level of performance. The collision with Marquez In Indonesia, an unintentional but consequential event deprived its rival of any competitive end to the season — leaving Aprilia to fully exploit its potential.
Several authoritative voices in the paddock have praised the rise to prominence of car number 72:
Jorge Lorenzo highlighted his ability to handle a day of testing "like a seasoned pilot".
Dani Pedrosa He described him as "the surprise of the year," stating that he did not expect him to take over the team so naturally in Martin's absence.
Massimo rivola, boss ofAprilia RacingHe, for his part, is "very confident": the momentum observed since mid-season suggests that Bezzecchi will be able to realistically aim for the crown in 2026. After a difficult start to the year, outside the top 5, Bezzecchi has gradually transformed the RS-GP into a podium machine on almost all circuits.
While Noale didn't have the best bike in recent years—some even considered it to be at the back of the pack—the situation has radically changed. On fast tracks, Aprilia has become the benchmark, to the point of causing concern Ducati.
This advantage could even increase during the off-season: Ducati will have to develop its new motorcycle without the data from Marc Marquezabsent from all end-of-year trials due to his injury.
A major technical handicap, as the red factory enters a phase where every detail counts.
A Marc Marquez – Marco Bezzecchi duel under tension in 2026?
Beyond the case MarquezDucati faces a strategic question: the true level of Francesco BagnaiaHis 2025 season, marred by errors, falls and withdrawals, did not inspire confidence.
If he does not provide strong support to Marquez in the fight against Bezzecchi et Aprilia, internal pressure risks becoming explosive — especially in a 2027 pilot market that is shaping up to be very volatile.
Bezzecchi had acknowledged that it would be "stupid" to consider Marquez like a friend. The two men have a complicated past, and even if the relationship is now peaceful, the rivalry could become the major narrative focus of 2026. Their talent, their aggression in duels and their opposing personalities promise an electrifying season.
And the others ? Peter Acosta awaits a technical leap from KTMIf he gets a more stable and faster motorcycle, he will remain one of the biggest dangers for Aprilia et Ducati.
George Martin, who won the title in 2024 but struggled in 2025, will try to regain his form. But Bezzecchi now has a full season of experience with the RS-GP, a key asset in the new hierarchy Aprilia.
Aprilia demonstrated that it could destroy the domination of Ducati when Marc Marquez is not on the track.
With a Bezzecchi transformed, a Martin which is returning, and a technical base in full boom, the Italian manufacturer appears as the main threat to the 2025 world champion.
Le MotoGP 2026 is shaping up to be a direct duel between Marc Marquez et Marco Bezzecchi, with Acosta et Martin as hunters, and a bagnaia under maximum pressure.
