We have talked a lot about the Jorge Martin case, but I realized that I haven't dedicated a single article to Aprilia since the start of the MotoGP season. Yet, it's an important manufacturer, arguably the second best after Ducati since 2022. Where is the Noale-based company? Why is it keeping such a low profile?
A truncated ranking
My first instinct, of course, was to look at the manufacturer ranking, which is supposed to reflect the hierarchy of the brands involved in MotoGP. And to my great surprise, after the French Grand Prix, Aprilia is in last placeThe worst part is that with 62 points, they are not even that close to the second-to-last team, namely Yamaha (72 points). In the teams' standings, the situation is roughly similar: the factory team is in second-to-last place. So, indeed, Marco Bezzecchi is all alone. But Trackhouse Racing, for whom both riders have contested every round so far, is eighth. It's not famous.
We don't hear much from Marco Bezzecchi anymore. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
However, I think it's not that serious. As we will see, there have been some encouraging results. This accounting situation is greatly influenced by the absence of the reigning world champion, Jorge Martin.Injured since Sepang, he has only been able to compete in one Sprint race since the start of the season, in Qatar, before getting injured again the next day. Today he apparently wants to leave Aprilia hastily as we saw in a previous analysisIt's not glorious, but inevitably, doing without such a driver is not without consequences for the general classification.
Jorge Martin embodied Aprilia's desire to get closer to the world championship title, at least the one intended for riders. I don't think the RS-GP has gotten that bad in eight months, but some elements still hold back the three active pilots at its handlebars.
Aprilia's problems in MotoGP
I have identified two major problems that Aprilia faces. First, the behavior of the motorcycle at the start of the race. All riders agree that there is a problem with the bike's grip when it has new tires, and it seems that this discomfort is accentuated when the tank is full. This is serious, because the starts are absolutely crucial in this day and age, not to say that they determine the result of every heat contested in the dry. It is therefore an intrinsic problem, but it's not the only one.
In my opinion, another extrinsic parameter is seriously harming the progress of the Noale firm. This is the current concession regime. Indeed, only Japanese manufacturers are still allowed to work on the engine, among other huge advantages. Yamaha and Honda have decided to go all out since the beginning of the year, and of course, it's paying off. The goal of this maneuver was, I imagine, to try to limit Ducati's dominance and to seduce the Japanese somewhat, who had suffered disappointment after disappointment for several years.
Indeed, it works. Yamaha and Honda are back in the race, and they combine for two pole positions and one victory in six rounds. But Ducati has a big lead, so much so that before the start of the season, the Borgo Panigale firm was the only one in its category of dealerships (which are divided into four ranks: A,B,C et D). Ducati is in A, and no one is in B, that's to tell you. KTM and Aprilia were in category C, and Yamaha and Honda in D. The problem is that between C and D, there is a world of difference with the possibility of continuing engine development! As a result, Aprilia and KTM end up with the disadvantages suffered by Ducati, but not the advantages enjoyed by Yamaha and Honda.. Aprilia, in C, will have to deal with the same engine in 2025 and 2026, like Ducati, while Yamaha was recently working on four mills at the same time! – The one that started the 2025 season, the new one introduced on Monday at Jerez, the famous V4 and the next one, 850cc.
Raul Fernandez, one of the biggest disappointments of this year. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
I find it quite a shame that Aprilia and KTM are so penalized by this hierarchy, especially since the first of these brands really came close to being relegated to category D at the end of last season, which, counterintuitively, would probably have helped him.
Disappointing Aprilia riders
Well, after that, the track also delivers its verdict. And I must say that I expected better from two drivers in particular: Marco Bezzecchi and Raul FernandezThe Italian, who started well, seems to be losing his way as the weeks go by. He has been in constant decline since the beginning of the year and has still not made it into the top 5; moreover, he finished 14th in the last two Sunday races. Raul Fernandez, whose presence in MotoGP I still question, is currently 18th overall, has never finished better than seventh, has no appearances in the Sprint points, and is 28 points behind his rookie teammate Ai Ogura. That's a lot.
Let's talk about the Japanese driver. He's definitely more discreet than at the Thailand Grand Prix, but he's still a very good driver. Ranked 10th, Ai is very solid, just five points behind Fermin Aldeguer, 8thHe has all my congratulations.
To conclude briefly, I think Aprilia's start to the season is logical given the diet it has to follow and the absence of Jorge Martin. Apart from Raul Fernandez, there is no real cause for concern at this stage of the season. even if the continuation of the "Martin affair" could change everything.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Aprilia, then, tell me in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
The results are marred by Ai Ogura's disqualification from the Argentine Grand Prix, but that's the game. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
