Aprilia's MotoGP Success: From Underdog to Race Winner (2025)

Imagine a motorcycle racing world where one team dominates everything—until a surprise challenger steps up, turning the tide and shaking things up. That's exactly what's happened in MotoGP, where Aprilia has transformed from an underdog into a consistent threat, challenging the mighty Ducati for supremacy. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Aprilia's rise a testament to brilliant engineering, or is it just catching up in a sport that's all about staying ahead of the curve? Stick around, because this story of evolution and resilience might just change how you view the paddock.

In a MotoGP season that's been largely owned by Marc Marquez and the Ducati squad, Aprilia has carved out its own space as a reliable force, frequently making those red bikes sweat. For those new to the sport, MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, pitting top riders and manufacturers against each other on global circuits with bikes pushing the limits of speed and technology. Aprilia, hailing from Noale, Italy, has been particularly impressive, ensuring that no other brand has claimed a dry-weather victory—be it a sprint or main grand prix—in nearly 30 months, outside of Ducati or themselves.

Yet, while Aprilia has been the sole barrier stopping Ducati from total domination in recent years, 2025 marks a pivotal leap forward for them. They've tackled their biggest weakness head-on: reliability across varied tracks. Let's break down their journey with a clear look at their performance stats over the years, to give you a sense of how far they've come.

Aprilia's Progress Year by Year

| Year | GP Wins | Sprint Wins | GP Podiums | Points | Standings |
|------|---------|-------------|------------|--------|-----------|
| 2025* | 1 | 1 | 6 | 308 | 2nd |
| 2024 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 302 | 3rd |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 326 | 3rd |

*Season still in progress

Historically, Aprilia's RS-GP bike shone brightly on specific circuits like Barcelona, where it was nearly untouchable. However, its performance was limited to a narrow range, lacking the adaptability that competitors like KTM possessed. This similarity to Ducati's struggles in the late 2010s—where they excelled on straightaways but stumbled in corners—allowed KTM to snatch second place in the constructors' championship in both 2023 and 2024. Think of it like a sports car that's a beast on highways but struggles on twisty mountain roads; versatility matters in racing.

But here's the exciting twist: As the current MotoGP regulation era winds down, Aprilia has refined the RS-GP into a versatile machine that can compete on any type of track. Their CEO, Massimo Rivola, put it succinctly: 'We were incredibly quick on the sweeping sections, which was a hallmark of the Aprilia, but now we're also holding our own on stop-and-go circuits. Overall, the bike is improving steadily.'

A key milestone was the end-of-2024 leadership shift, bringing in Fabiano Sterlacchini as technical director. Sterlacchini, who previously worked closely with Gigi Dall’Igna at Ducati and spent three years at KTM, has driven significant advancements. Under his guidance, Aprilia has secured podiums in six of the last nine grands prix, resolved overheating issues in hot Asian climates, and boosted team morale.

Sterlacchini explained the psychological side of racing: 'In this sport, success blends technical know-how with belief—how much faith you have in your work. It's not always about equations or simulations; you need to trust your efforts. If you're inconsistent, those lows can prevent you from seizing highs because you doubt your capabilities. Consistency is paramount; a strong showing in one race might just be luck, but sustained results prove you're progressing.'

This steadiness has been crucial for Aprilia, especially with star rider Jorge Martin sidelined by injuries for much of the season. They've leaned on 2025 newcomer Marco Bezzecchi, who delivered a stellar win at the British Grand Prix and nearly repeated it in Indonesia before a rare mistake. In Mandalika, Aprilia unleashed power reminiscent of their 2024 Americas GP triumph, with Bezzecchi grabbing pole by four-tenths and bouncing back from eighth to win the sprint.

That said, building a more balanced bike meant sacrificing some of their Barcelona brilliance. In 2023, Aprilia dominated with a 1-2 finish at the Catalan GP, a rare moment where Ducati was utterly eclipsed. By 2024, they slipped a bit, though Aleix Espargaro clinched pole and a sprint victory. In 2025, no Aprilia rider qualified or finished in the top five, sparking debates about whether they've regressed.

But Sterlacchini offers a nuanced view: 'Performance is relative. Even if our bike is faster than last year—and it is—the competition might have advanced more. Outsiders might see us as weaker, but we've actually improved lap times. Factors like focused testing play a role; Ducati, after our 2023 Barcelona success, invested heavily in testing there. They've closed the gap, and we must account for that to gauge our true standing. What's key is our proximity to the top—over the last 10 races, we're consistently in the top three to five.'