For months, Aprilia carried the label of the logical favorite for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. Jorge Martin was leading the standings, Marco Bezzecchi was racking up victories, and Ai Ogura was also in the title fight. Yet, as the summer break approached, Massimo Rivola refused to get carried away. Even more remarkably, the Aprilia Racing boss believes that the clear favorite for the world title is none other than Marc Marquez. This admission speaks volumes about the respect the Ducati rider continues to command in the paddock.
« We know that Marc Marquez clearly has the edge in all the predictions. He's the favorite. », Declared Rivola on Sky Sport. It must be said that the return of the world champion Ducati is spectacular.
Still at 102 points of the leader after the Italian Grand Prixhampered since the start of the season by persistent problems with his right shoulder, Marc Marquez completely relaunched his campaign in the space of a few weeks.
Three Grand Prix victories Later, taking advantage of the difficulties encountered by some of his opponents, the Spaniard only accused them of 18 points behind on George Martin Mid-season. A comeback impressive enough to convince Massimo rivola that the pilot Ducati He remains the man to beat.
The Italian manager, however, insists that his team does not think in terms of league points. As I have always said from the beginning, we don't look at the rankingsand even less so now »
A philosophy that may seem surprising, given that...Aprilia currently possesses several trump cards in this title fight. George Martin still leads the championship Ai Ogura continues its irresistible rise with TrackHouse while Marco Bezzecchi has already won four Grand Prix this season. Rivola is not in denial either… Nous savons that we have very strong pilotsboth in the official team and in our satellite team. We also know that our motorcycle is very competitive »
Rivola: It's fantastic to participate in an all-Italian challenge for a world title of this caliber. »
Beyond the duel Marquez-Martin While naturally monopolizing attention, the 2026 season primarily tells a story that few specialists had imagined even a year ago: that of a perfectly balanced confrontation between Aprilia et Ducati.
The numbers speak for themselves. Aprilia already counting six Grand Prix victories this season: four for Marco Bezzecchi one for George Martin one for Ai Ogura.
Ducati responds with five success: three for Marc Marquez one for Fabio Di Giannantonio one for Alex MarquezThe era when Ducati what seemed to possess an overwhelming technical superiority is now a thing of the past. Rivola is perfectly aware of this.
Massimo rivola also appreciates the symbolic dimension of this sporting battle. It's fantastic to be part of the game and to participate in an all-Italian challenge for a world title of this caliber. »
Because beyond the drivers, it is indeed an industrial duel between the two Italian manufacturers that is taking place this year. Aprilia is probably having its best MotoGP season in modern history while Ducati attempts to preserve its hegemony before the arrival of the technological revolution of 2027.
So thatAprilia probably has the most well-rounded bike on the grid today and four riders capable of regularly playing leading roles, it's still Marc Marquez which appears to be the main threat.
À 18 Just a few points off the championship lead, after seeming definitively out of contention a few races ago, the Spaniard reminds us once again why he remains a statistical anomaly. MotoGP modern.
Massimo rivola He ultimately sums it up in one sentence: He's the favorite, but we'll never give up"The second half of the season therefore promises a scenario that many hoped for without truly imagining it: an open war between..." Aprilia et Ducati which could well be decided right up to the last Grand Prix of the 1000cc era.
