P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Massimo Rivola has admitted that Aprilia has become the current reference bike everyone else must beat in MotoGP.
Team boss Massimo Rivola acknowledged that Aprilia has emerged as the leading bike in MotoGP that all other teams strive to surpass.
Aprilia has showcased significant progress from 2025 to 2026, securing five consecutive Grand Prix wins starting last year and extending into the current season, where Marco Bezzecchi, the championship leader, triumphed in all three races.
Jorge Martin, the 2024 MotoGP champion, achieved his first podiums for Aprilia Racing and claimed a Sprint victory at Circuit of the Americas, following his switch from Pramac Racing, which previously fielded Ducatis.
Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse clinched another podium on the RS-GP in the season opener in Thailand, while Ai Ogura consistently finished in the top six, except for a race at COTA due to a mechanical issue.
Rivola confidently declared that the Aprilia bike has not only become competitive but has established itself as the leading machine in MotoGP.
Despite the team’s success, Rivola remains cautious, acknowledging that while they may currently be in front, it is essential to monitor their performance at various tracks, including the upcoming race at Jerez.
