As the 2026 MotoGP season approaches, Aprilia is gearing up to challenge the established leaders like Marc Marquez and Ducati with its newly developed RS-GP26. Team principal Massimo Rivola has openly stated that this bike has been designed for championship contention, with both official riders ready to maximize its potential. The spotlight has turned to Marco Bezzecchi, the sole factory rider present during the opening tests at Sepang, carrying the hopes of Aprilia’s bold campaign.
Marco Bezzecchi’s Excitement and Early Impressions of the RS-GP26
Coming off a solid performance last year, Bezzecchi showed great enthusiasm about returning to the MotoGP scene on the updated machine after an intense off-season. Reflecting on the initial rides, he said,
“It was incredible to ride the MotoGP bike again. It’s unbelievably fast! The first laps are always quite relaxed, but when you finally push it to the limit, it feels like a completely different world compared to riding the RSV-4 at the ranch!”
His words underscore the clear leap forward the RS-GP26 represents in terms of speed and handling.
While cautiously optimistic, Bezzecchi acknowledged that it is still early to draw firm conclusions about the new bike’s capabilities. He noted that Aprilia’s team in Noale provided an extensive range of parts during testing to optimize performance, but the limited number of tires made it essential to use each lap effectively.
“I have no complaints at this stage, but it’s still a bit early to form a definitive opinion on the new bike. The team back in Noale has done an impressive job, providing us with a plethora of parts to test. We need to be careful with the tires since we don’t have many available, which limits our laps each day. It’s crucial that we make every lap count to thoroughly understand our testing,”
he explained.
Enhancements Focused on Stability and Rear-End Performance
Following feedback from riders toward the end of the 2025 season, Aprilia prioritized improving the bike’s stability. Bezzecchi confirmed significant progress in this area, highlighting that,
“The rear of the bike has improved significantly,”
a development likely to energize fans and professionals tracking Aprilia’s progress.
Testing Highlights and the Path Forward
The first day of testing at Sepang concluded with positive signs, but the challenge remains for RS-GP26 to meet the lofty expectations set by the team and its followers. As Bezzecchi continues the evaluation and fine-tuning process, motorsport enthusiasts remain eager to see if Aprilia can disrupt the current dominance of its rivals. The upcoming races and ongoing tests will be crucial in determining the RS-GP26’s role as a genuine contender in the championship battle.
