Marco Bezzecchi Reflects on Aprilia's 2026 MotoGP Bike: A Gradual Evolution
Aprilia MotoGP rider Marco Bezzecchi offers an insightful perspective on the 2026 RS-GP, acknowledging its improvements while highlighting the significant leap between the 2024 and 2025 models.
The Italian manufacturer's 2025 MotoGP season was a remarkable achievement, securing four victories with Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez, and finishing second in the constructors' standings. This success set the stage for further advancements in 2026.
Following the first pre-season test at Sepang, Ducati maintained its lead, but Aprilia demonstrated its competitive spirit by securing second place overall, with Bezzecchi's impressive times. Despite this, Bezzecchi acknowledges that the 2026 bike's gains are modest compared to the previous year.
During the test, Bezzecchi noted, "The bike is a bit better, I'd say it's improved a little in all areas." He emphasized that the most significant change occurred between the 2024 and 2025 bikes, while the 2026 model shows smaller improvements. Bezzecchi's best lap of 1m56.526s on the final day of the test showcased his speed, splitting the Ducatis at the top of the standings.
However, Bezzecchi expressed a desire for better performance, attributing it to the ongoing testing process. He stated, "I wanted to do a bit better, but it's difficult because we're always testing something on the bike and I have to adapt. So, I didn't do the best time attack of my life. But, in testing, that counts to a certain extent."
Aprilia's attention-grabbing rear aero design, featuring a more aggressive style than previous years, further underscores the team's commitment to innovation. Bezzecchi commented on the new wings, stating, "I think, to be honest, in MotoGP, not just for us, but for everyone, we always talk about minimal differences."
Despite the subtle improvements, Bezzecchi's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of Aprilia's progress in the 2026 MotoGP season, leaving fans eager to witness the team's continued evolution.
