There are a lot of changes at Yamaha this year. Rider changes and crew chief changes take the headlines, but will there be a change of fortunes in 2026? That's a lot harder to forecast because while the YZF-R1 is a very capable machine, it is also a very traditional Superbike when compared to some of the other animals on the grid.

Motorcycle racing in general, and WorldSBK in particular, is predatory. Everyone is out for themselves and out to maximise their advantages. In production racing that means starting with the most advanced bike possible. Yamaha has taken a different tact and made a road bike that's capable of being a competitive racing machine. Other manufacturers have taken a different approach and it has allowed their base packages to be more competitive.

This difference is one of the reasons that making Superbike racing more akin to Superstock regulations has always been difficult to envision. If you make everything as standard as possible, as close to the road bike as possible, you also accentuate the differences and deficiencies of one machine versus another.

• Read more about Steve English' 2026 WorldSBK Preview - Yamaha: Follow the leader, or who's the leader?
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Do not forget about our Annual Awards Banquet next Saturday February 21st, held together with ASRA Racing!

The post ASRA/NJMiniGP Banquet Set for February 21 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Manu Gonzalez has his Moto2 challenge back on track at the final test of the 2026 preseason. After a washed out test at Portimão, the Moto2 class got a full day of running at the Jerez circuit.

• Read more about 2026 Jerez Moto2 Test Day 1 Times: Gonzalez Leads Alonso After First Day
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Dorna Sports, S.L., the company which has run grand prix motorcycle racing since 1992, has been renamed. From now on, the company will be known as MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, though much of the current organizational structure will remain intact.

Renaming the company is a commercial decision, and one aimed at giving the company a more global appeal. In a commercial environment, the name Dorna Sports always needed an explainer as to what they did. MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group does exactly what it says on the tin.

According to the press release issued on the name change, this is the next step in the rebranding process started back in 2024. That was before the takeover by Liberty Media, and part of a growing awareness that the growth of MotoGP had plateaued, was stuck at its current level and needed to find a new impulse to grow. Liberty has since picked up that objective and is pushing it forward.

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- Dorna Sports, S.L. will be officially renamed MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, introducing a refreshed identity aligned with the future direction of the sport.

- The new name signals the organisation's global ambition, expanding MotoGP's position as a world leading sports entertainment platform built on world innovation. 

Dorna Sports, S.L. today announced that the company will officially be known as MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, reflecting the ongoing evolution and continuous growth of the organisation, which has served as the exclusive commercial and broadcast rights holder of MotoGP since 1992. 

The new company name represents a clear vision for the future of MotoGP and reflects the evolution of the sport from a premier racing championship into a global sports entertainment platform with worldwide cultural impact and resonance.

The renaming follows the brand refresh in 2024 and captures the organisation's ambition to expand beyond traditional motorsport boundaries embracing digital innovation, immersive fan engagement, global storytelling, and new forms of entertainment that complement the on track spectacle. 

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group: "The company name change is much more than a new identity - it is a statement of intent. MotoGP has grown far beyond just a championship; it has become a global entertainment property followed passionately around the world.

"As MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, we are building on years of continuous growth to accelerate innovation and global expansion, while always preserving the spirit and values that define our sport."

The transition aligns with long term strategic initiatives designed to strengthen MotoGP's reach across continents, broaden its appeal to younger and more diverse audiences, and elevate the fan experience on-and-off the track. 

The group will continue to lead the commercial, sporting, and fan engagement development of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, the Road to MotoGP programmes, the World Superbike Championship, and the newly created Harley Davidson Bagger World Cup - strengthening its role across every level of elite motorcycle sport.

The post Dorna Sports Becomes MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Here at Oxley Bom, everyone knows that the thing we're most famous for are our 'charming' personalities. Like, we can promise we don't physically bite - but that's about the limit of what we can guarentee. So you'll understand when I say it is a great honor to have an actual returning guest to our show! Who is this dauntless fellow? Why, it's the awesome Livio Suppo! 

For those not in the know (or those who haven't listened to our interview two years ago) we should probably tell you that Livio is an actual real-life legend in the pit, leading teams for Ducati, Honda and Suzuki. Oh, and he worked with some small riders like Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez. I don't know, you might have heard of them…

So get ready to hear some insights from our man on the inside - but be warned, because this week we're taking no prisoners! 

• Listen the podcast here! 

Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 

The post Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Livo Lets Loose appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Is there a manufacturer in WorldSBK facing bigger question marks heading into the season than BMW? The German marque has dominated the championship for the past two years in the hands of Toprak Razgatlioglu. With the Turkish superstar gone one question remains: can BMW find a way to be successful?

Razgatlioglu's departure leaves a huge void to be filled. While the M1000RR has proven itself to be a title-winning machine, BMW's recent success was always seen as being about the rider rather than the bike. For decades BMW Motorrad chased a World Championship, and when it was delivered it wasn't the result of vast development budgets. It was, rather, the investment made in Razgatlioglu that delivered success. His sheer talent defined the project and delivered the title.

Now BMW has to move forward without its talisman.

• Read more about Steve English' 2026 WorldSBK Preview - The New Normal at BMW?
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Times at the end of day 1:

• Read more about 2026 WorldSSP Phillip Island Test Day 1 Results: Masia Leads Oli Bayliss and Philipp Oettl
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Blue skies and balmy weather met the WorldSBK paddock on the first day of the Phillip Island test in Australia, making up for the time lost to the winter storms which lashed both Jerez and Portimão tests a couple of weeks ago. With plenty of dry track time, it was firm favorite Nicola Bulega who topped the timesheets, the Aruba.it Ducati rider nearly three tenths ahead of the pack. Axel Bassani impressed in second, the Bimota rider another three tenths ahead of Sam Lowes on the Marc VDS Ducati, while Yari Montella was fourth quickest.

• Read more about 2026 WorldSBK Phillip Island Test Day 1 Results: Bulega Heads The Field
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The trio of Ducati independent riders flashed brilliance on the opening day of testing in Oz

The title favourite showed riders and fans what all the hype is about on Day 1

The Italian rider was quick out the blocks as he claimed P2 overall across two sessions, finishing only behind compatriot Nicolo Bulega

Italian rider Nicolo Bulega got his trip to Australia off to the perfect start on Monday at Phillip Island as he claimed top spot in both sessions

Foto: Flickr (Tony Blazier)

Home hero Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing)  took P2 on the day, splitting Ducati riders Masia and Oettl for the day's top three finishers

It was an all-Italian affair at the top of the Free Practice 1 timesheets as Bulega lead Montella, Bassani and Baldassarri

The Official Test Down Under is underway!

Keep tabs on the critical testing sessions before lights out on 2026!

A new and improved Ducati Panigale V4 R was the last thing the rest of the WorldSBK grid wanted to see heading into 2026. The Bologna-built missile has been the most complete package in the championship for several seasons, and this year it has taken another clear step forward.

Nicolo Bulega enters the third season of his WorldSBK career with real momentum. The Italian is the clear favourite for the title, and if he delivers the dominance many expect, a MotoGP seat looks set to await in 2027. Bulega's road to redemption has been a surprise to everyone. His talent was never in question but his Grand Prix career was marked by inconsistency. In WorldSBK, that frailty has disappeared. He looks sharper, tougher and fully at home.

• Read more about Steve English' 2026 WorldSBK Preview - Ducati: Winning, The Only Thing That Matters
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Times at the end of day 2:

• Read more about 2026 Jerez Moto3 Test Day 2 Times: Quiles Tops Moto3 Preseason Testing
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SEATTLE - Just a week removed from a Super Bowl victory for the hometown Seattle Seahawks, the energy inside Lumen Field for a Valentine's Day visit to the Emerald City featured a heightened sense of energy and excitement for Round 6 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship. The incredible atmosphere encapsulated the most action-packed night yet in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, where the always challenging Seattle track conditions became a central player in the battle for victory. After a grueling 20 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Eli Tomac who prevailed with his third victory of the season, wrestling the lead away from Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Cooper Webb before soldiering home to a bounce-back win following an adversity plagued outing last weekend.

• 450SMX Class Results - Seattle
• Western Divisional 250SMX Class Results - Seattle

Eli Tomac Prevails for Third Monster Energy Supercross Victory of the Season Following Grueling Battle in Seattle

The 450SMX Class Main Event got underway with Webb leading the way for the holeshot as Tomac and his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Aaron Plessinger gave chase ahead of season race winners Chase Sexton (fifth) and Ken Roczen (sixth), as well as championship leader Hunter Lawrence (seventh). Webb was able to assert his hold of the lead while Tomac eventually settled into second and Roczen into third aboard his Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki. It wasn't long before the lead trio settled in on the soft, rutted, technical conditions and established a significant lead over the rest of the field. Tomac chipped away at the deficit and applied pressure for the lead as the race passed halfway. He made a quick and decisive move around Webb to seize control of the race and opened a multi-second lead. Lapped riders allowed Webb to close back within a second, but Tomac extended the lead once again to effectively end the threat. Behind them, Roczen's hold of third came under fire from Lawrence, who overcame an early miscue to climb from seventh to fourth aboard his Honda HRC Progressive machine. Lawrence was the faster rider and was in position to take third until he went too aggressive in the track's sand section, collided with last week's winner, and took both riders to the ground. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Justin Cooper rode by to assume third as Lawrence remounted in fourth and Roczen continued well back in ninth.

 
Tomac navigated the deteriorating conditions to perfection and took his 56th career win by 9.2 seconds over Webb, who grabbed a third straight podium in second. Cooper landed on the podium for the first time this season in third. Lawrence recovered to finish fourth, while Sexton rounded out the top five aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki. Roczen got the worst of the exchange with Lawrence and finished a season-low 10th, a net-loss of seven positions.
 

Lawrence's finish proved significant in the championship standings as he maintained control of the lead by a single point over Tomac. Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 11 points behind Lawrence.

Eli Tomac - 1st Place - 450SMX Class:

"Seattle was the usual. It's a tough track to really get a hold of and get comfortable on. I saved the best for last of course. I had my best start and my best ride there [in the Main Event]. I cleaned up some lines, did some different jump combinations. Just typical Seattle. One of the toughest we have all year. Glad to conquer it."

Cooper Webb - 2nd Place - 450SMX Class:

"Overall, it was fun, with a side of sketch. The track was really gnarly. It's always gnarly here, but this [track] with still having to hit the rhythms [sections], they're pretty big. It was brutal. Obviously, Eli [Tomac] picked up on a good line and kept doing it and got past me. I tightened up for sure with a little arm pump, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, I can't be hitting whoops like that and expect to win. We'll get back to work."

Justin Cooper - 3rd Place - 450SMX Class:

"It's just Seattle. This track was absolutely gnarly. With 20 [minutes] plus 1 [lap] out there with these 450s, it gets really demanding. I just put together solid laps and got a little gift from [Lawrence and Roczen]. Sometimes you've got to stay in it and that's what we did tonight. Really pumped to get back on the box."

Hunter Lawrence - 4th Place - 450SMX Class:

"[My race] started with wheel spin off the start. I just didn't get myself good track position. I was coming through and had good pace. I feel like an idiot. I jumped on the inside [and] was already going down and got Kenny involved. That just sucked, honestly. Not how I would have wanted the night to go, but we're fourth and still have the red plate. We'll head on to Dallas."

• 450SMX Class Point Standings

Haiden Deegan Outduels Levi Kitchen for Captivating 250SMX Class Win

The sixth race of the Western Divisional 250SMX Class also served as the midseason send off before the Eastern Divisional Championship begins next weekend. That presented an opportunity to enter the break with momentum, and the added motivation produced an instant classic between Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan, the dominant championship leader, and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen, the hometown favorite. Off the start it was another Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider out front, with Max Anstie securing the holeshot, but it didn't take long for Deegan to storm into the lead just a few minutes into the 15 Minute + 1 Lap race. Kitchen, meanwhile, was on a torrid charge to the front as he clawed his way from fifth to second prior to the halfway point. The tense rivalry between Deegan and Kitchen entered its next chapter during an incredible head-to-head showdown that produced four exchanges for the lead. As he navigated lapped riders Deegan appeared to let Kitchen assume the lead with a little more than seven minutes to go. Kitchen then established a multi-second advantage for several laps, but the degrading track and increased lapped traffic forced both riders to take alternate lines and caused minor miscues. Deegan showed patience and closed back in, then made multiple inside pass attempts before he took advantage of a missed rhythm by Kitchen to reclaim the position with a little more than two minutes to go. With the support of the crowd, Kitchen fought back and retook the lead, but Deegan made one final pass back with about a minute remaining.

 
Deegan stormed to his fifth consecutive win by 1.5 seconds over Kitchen, who became the first fellow competitor to give Deegan a significant challenge during his run of dominance. The near-miss in front of the hometown crowd continued a recent surge for Kitchen, who now has three straight runner-up finishes. Anstie rode to a quiet and comfortable third-place finish, his first podium since winning the opening race of the season.
 

Deegan now owns a dozen career victories and has moved out to a healthy 35-point lead over Anstie heading into the break. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Michael Mosiman, who finished sixth, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Ryder DiFrancesco, who finished fourth, are tied for third, 36 points behind Deegan. After a slow start to the season, Kitchen has fought his way up to fifth, 42 points behind Deegan and just seven points behind Anstie for second.

Haiden Deegan - 1st Place - Western Divisional 250SMX Class:

"That was gnarly. I went through after [the finish] and told [Kitchen] that was the gnarliest battle I have ever had racing. We were going back and forth. I don't know what to say, that was the best I've had. I know it's in his hometown so the [fans] may not like it, but I hope they enjoyed that one."

Levi Kitchen - 2nd Place - Western Divisional 250SMX Class:

"I think that's the race everyone has been waiting for. I'm bummed I couldn't get it done for the hometown, but I rode my heart out and [Deegan] did too. That had to be the coolest race of my life. We were going at it the whole time. Thanks to everyone here in Seattle, they were amazing. That was fun."

Max Anstie - 3rd Place - Western Divisional 250SMX Class:

"That was really tough. That was a tough track, and those boys [Deegan and Kitchen] were obviously riding awesome. It was amazing to hear the fans cheering for Levi. I've been struggling since Anaheim 1. I don't know what it is, but my throat and my chest have been burning. Last week was bad too. I need to get it checked out because I don't feel sick, but I can't breathe right. My chest just burns."

• Western Divisional 250SMX Point Standings

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, February 21, for the seventh race of the season from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The race will open the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, while a special pre-race show will air at 6:30 p.m. ET followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
 

All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.

• Instagram: @supermotocross
• Facebook: @supermotocross
• X: @supermotocross
• YouTube: @supermotocross
• TikTok: @supermotocross

The post Supercross: Results From Seattle, Washington appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

After a washed out test at Portimão, the Moto3 class had a day of good weather at Jerez for the first day of the two-day test at the Andalusian circuit. Alvaro Carpe ended the day as fastest, just ahead of Guido Pini and Scott Ogden. Times were some way off record pace, however: Carpe's 1'44.980 is six tenths slower than the race lap record, and 1.2 seconds off David Alonso's outright lap record set during qualifying in 2024.

• Read more about 2026 Jerez Moto3 Test Day 1 Times: Carpe Leads Pini And Ogden
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First Person/Opinion:

By John Ulrich

Continuing the theme we started last month, award banquets are great fun. Here are photos taken by Louis Stevenson during the 2025 WMRRA award banquet. 

The post WMRRA: Scenes From Another Award Banquet appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Honda Racing Corporation has all hands on deck for their reimagined 2026 squad!

The post Supercross: RJ Hampshire Ruled Out After Foot Injury appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

New York, NY (February 13, 2026) - Following North America's only MotoGP Round at Circuit of the Americas, Aprilia returns to Austin to host Aprilia Racers Days at COTA, taking place Monday, March 30th, and Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 - delivering an unmatched post-race riding experience at one of the most iconic circuits in the world.

Watch your heroes race on Sunday, then join them on track Monday!

Monday, March 30th will be an exclusive VIP experience, featuring invited guests, special access, and the presence of Aprilia MotoGP riders and members of Aprilia Racing and Trackhouse MotoGP Team. This intimate day is designed to bring participants closer than ever to the passion, performance, and people behind Aprilia's racing DNA.

Set within the MotoGP race garages, Aprilia Racers Days at COTA offers a truly unheard-of environment. Rider groups are limited to just 45 participants, maximizing track time, exclusivity, and the adrenaline that comes from riding the Circuit of the Americas immediately following MotoGP race weekend. As always, each ticket includes complimentary professional photography and lunch, along with the opportunity to ride select models from the 2026 Aprilia lineup on track. This is more than a track day - it's a rare opportunity to ride, connect, and experience Aprilia in its element.

Event Details - VIP Experience (Monday, 3/30)

● Price: $1,500

● Aprilia Racing Team in Attendance

● VIP Guests

● On-Site Coaching

● Communal Garages (first come, first served)

● 1 Demo Ride Per Guest

● Complimentary Lunch

● Complimentary Photography

● Aprilia Gift Bag Including Commemorative T-Shirt

Event Details - Standard ARD Ticket (Tuesday, 3/31)

● Price: $850

● Communal Garages

● 1 Demo Ride Per Guest

● Complimentary Lunch

● Complimentary Photography

More Than Just a Ride - An Unmatched Experience

Aprilia Racers Days is about more than just riding - it's about precision, passion, and performance. With expert coaching, professional photography, and direct support from Aprilia-trained technicians and brand representatives, every rider gets an immersive and tailored experience. Enthusiasts can ride the full Aprilia street lineup, including the RSV4, Tuono V4, RS 660, Tuono 660, and RS 457 or bring their own motorcycles for additional track time in skill-based riding groups.

Sign Up for the Aprilia Racers Days Experience.

Aprilia Racers Days at Circuit of the Americas 2026 is an unmissable event for riders looking to elevate their skills and experience the thrill of Aprilia's high-performance motorcycles. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

For registration and more details, visit: https://aprilia.ticketspice.com/cota-2026

For any additional questions, please contact marketing@us.piaggio.com.

Aprilia Racers Days events will be supported directly by Aprilia trained technicians and product specialists, as well as partners Pirelli, Dainese and AGV to offer the best on track experience with expert advice, performance and protection. The cost of participation in the events will not only qualify for an incredible track day experience with your existing motorcycle, but also include a VIP Aprilia Racers Days package, with ability to demo a new Aprilia for one of the track day sessions, equipped with Pirelli performance tires. Additionally, activities will include coaching, event photography, and an included lunch.

The post Aprilia Racers Days Returns to COTA for Two-Day Event appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

As I wrote about KTM, it is sometimes hard to see what has changed for some parts and on some bikes. This is especially true for Honda, where the riders told us they have tested a lot of parts to improve the bike. Yet comparing pictures I took at Sepang (in hindsight, woefully few) with the photos from the Valencia test and the Portimão round, it is hard to see much difference.

On the one hand, that is not surprising, given that the one thing that we know the Honda riders were focused on was on ensuring the engine was right. Honda moves from Category D last year to Category C in 2026, which means they have to homologate an engine design at Buriram and then use that design for the rest of the season. So a lot of the work done at Sepang was about validating the engine, checking power delivery and engine character, and making sure it will remain in one piece throughout the season.

• Read more about Sepang MotoGP Test Analysis, Part 4: A Photo Essay Deep Dive Into Honda - Closing In On The Top
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By Adam Wheeler. Photos by Aprilia Racing.

Wooden legs, marriages to motorcycles, VR46 affinity, and a laconic and often flippant approach to the non-racing component of being a MotoGP winner: Marco Bezzecchi is certainly one of a kind on the grid and has been so for the majority of his four-season tenure in the premier class. The fresh unignorable truth is that the 27-year-old must be considered as a viable championship threat in 2026.

Aside from a brief flurry of results at the beginning (two wins and three podium appearances in the first five rounds) and then the middle (one win and four podiums from six outings) of his second MotoGP season in 2023, the Italian sizzled through his hottest streak to-date in the second half of 2025. His first campaign on the works Aprilia RS-GP ended with a second career bronze medal in the standings. He only missed the rostrum four times from R10 onwards and tallied three wins in total; two coming at the final dates in Portugal and Valencia.

Yes, those successes came after he'd punted Marc Marquez off the track and into surgery at the Indonesian Grand Prix for round 18 of 22. He also profited from Aprilia's unflinching attention for the majority of 2025 due to the misfortunes and travails of teammate Jorge Martin. But there is little doubt that Bezzecchi was able to mobilize the environment he found in Noale (200km north of his home on the Rimini coast) and could harness the strengths of the Aprilia once the team had worked through issues of stability, qualifying speed and rear grip. The factory subsequently rose to second place in the Constructors Standings for the first time.

Late 2025, Bezzecchi was formidable. How much of that potential can run in 2026? "The target is to try to start in a good way," he admitted at the Aprilia Racing team launch in Milan during mid-January. "That is what we missed last year. it could be fantastic to try to start in a competitive way, fighting for top fives, top three. Then after a couple of races, we can set a clear[er] target."

The opening laps of 2026 have been logged already, and the mood has remained chipper as Bezz headed the third and final day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit and was 2nd on overall fastest times. The Sepang test comes with a big asterisk. It is usually a trial period for new ideas and solutions and the track conditions are normally very favourable for grip.

"You really need to be super-focused, and you really need to try to feel everything from the bike and try to be precise on the comments because the track is very good," he told the media in Malaysia. "The pace is very strong compared to the race. It's much, much faster." Bezzecchi could only rank 11th at the Malaysian Grand Prix in October as the Aprilia struggled to utilise effective rear traction at the 20th race of the year. It was his worst score since the wet French Grand Prix at Le Mans back in May. "It's not super-easy…" he added on the nature of the work at the Sepang test, "but it's also super-nice to ride in the track like this."

Bezzecchi has 1 brand, 1 countryman and 1 family to worry about in 2026: small numbers but big obstacles. He also must crack the conundrum of extending his form throughout a nine month, 22-GP and 44 race weekend haul. Here's why he might scale the pole and become the first MotoGP #1 not to have won a championship in other categories since Fabio Quartararo in 2021.

1. Aprilia is ready?

It has taken half a decade since their first premier class podium in the MotoGP era in 2021 but Aprilia have moulded the RS-GP to be a bona fide championship foil for what will be the bike's last roll of the dice. Aprilia is the only constructor aside from Ducati to have won at least one Grand Prix every season since 2022 (the year of their first triumph) and under Massimo Rivola's stewardship and with the influence of former Ducati and KTM Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini (who replaced HRC-bound Romano Albesiano) for 2025 the Piaggio Group-owned brand has been creeping closer and closer.

2025 was a disaster for their project with Jorge Martin, but the fact that the firm tempted the 2024 champion away from Ducati stock in the first place was already testament to how they have been progressing in the last 24 months.

Aprilia won four Grands Prix with two different riders in 2025 despite the setback with Martin and all the disruptive speculation of the-then champion's future and status with the factory team. The Spaniard's absence thrust Bezzecchi into the fore and for a campaign where he had to prove his capability, not only as a racer but also a rider who could develop a prototype and lead a factory: roles he never had to face from the comfy confines of the Ducati-shod VR46 set-up from 2022-2024 (and where his credentials had diminished after a poor '24 with just one 3rd place finish to his credit and sliding from 3rd to 12th in the points table).

Bezz found a tight, family-esque nest that had worked effectively for Maverick Viñales. It was an extension of what he had/has at Valentino Rossi's squad and setup. "I have to be honest, it's cool because I have nice people around me in the team. But also at home, with the staff from the academy, my friends. And for the moment, I feel good," he said in Milan. The bonhomie means that he was the first rider in 2026 to confirm his future for the next two-year cycle of MotoGP. "In my mind, when I signed for Aprilia, I wanted to create a relationship. To try to be a rider for them for many years; this was my idea," he said after the 'wedding' on the eve of the Sepang test.

"It takes pressure off Marco, and that was the priority," Rivola commented on the contract extension in Malaysia. "It was our priority to continue with Marco, because we saw his commitment: there was something special. And also in his way of working. We get along quite good together."

Positive vibes in 2025 and then into 2026 led to conviction for another two years. Which, for all the camaraderie (that can be so temporal if results do not flow), means Bezzecchi is also assured by Aprilia's technical nuance. Sterlacchini's last crack with the current RS-GP means the race department have prioritised electronics and aerodynamics this year. The Italian described his thought process at the official launch. "What we want in terms of aerodynamics is to 'stretch the cover'," he said. "So, to obtain better efficiency, so you can generate better aerodynamic forces that are productive for performance. But you don't have the drawback that you have to 'pay' to have this benefit." This refinement could well be on-point thanks to the fruits of what both he and Rivola explained as the maturation of the technical crew. "You have to create a group of people that are working together to try to create in the fastest way possible solutions. Solution to the problem or solution to improve performance," he stated.

Since 2022 Aprilia have been fast, but also a little ragged in terms of consistency and durability. The overseas GPs in particular have been grim, with just one podium finish by Viñales coming in 2023 before the Phillip Island breakthrough five months ago. If both factory and rider can elevate for 2026 then they will undoubtedly be a sharper foe for the Ducati hoards. "Expectation normally is the one that kills us," Rivola said with a smile in Milan. "I'm very curious to see Marco…we need to manage that. Obviously, the expectation is high for the championship."

2. Marco is ready?

The ability was without question but there were rational doubts about Bezzecchi's attitude and aptitude to front an expensive and high-profile works effort early last year. 2024 had been horrific: only four top five results was not an impressive return for a rider of his ilk as he struggled to find the narrow window on the Ducati GP23. Marco earned props for breaking away from VR46 and seeking personal and external re-evaluation in black: new bike, new team, new culture. "It was a possibility for me to try to use this opportunity as a first-time factory rider," he reflected last month.

Martin-less, things look acceptable (two 6th positions in the first three rounds) but he kicked on from the Jerez test after round five; both as an Aprilia employee and a MotoGP protagonist. "I didn't become a leader, I just tried to be myself and I just tried to push everyone to reach what was not only my target, but also the target of the team," he said, before adding with typical nonchalance: "then, the rest came, how do you say, naturally."

Bezzecchi went from 'B rider' to 'A' by default but then 'earned the part'. "I learned a lot in how I feel the modification on the bike every time," he admitted. "Basically, in MotoGP, I think that you always have to make steps day-by-day. You can never stop, and this is what the factory is trying to do, and also what I'm trying to do in all the areas that I can. So physically and in terms of skills during the riding and in terms of also mentality."

The steps and improvements were transparent. The results came. But he was also smoothing the rough edges. Take qualifying as an example. He needed the first nine Grands Prix to reach the second row of the grid, and was then 1st or 2nd in Q2 five times from the final seven events.

Bezzecchi looked more comfortable as a Grand Prix winner. There was an aura of dependability about his presence. Although his capacity to effectively cope with the extra attention, all the requests and the scrutiny was harder to gauge. "In our sport, the pressure is always there, because when you are slow, you have the pressure to go home. And when you are fast, you have the pressure to try to win," he mused at the 2026 team presentation. "At the moment, I'm facing everything with positivity and try to use this as an advantage. I know it will not be easy. There will be some moments where maybe we will struggle a bit, but it's part of the process, it's part of the game."

Personally, I am fascinated to see how Bezzecchi deals with the possible status as a championship leader. He adopts the jokey and sometimes dismissive demeanour of his mentor at VR46 but the time could swiftly arrive when Marco has to step-up from being a character actor to a movie lead. Does he have the personality and 'tools' at his disposal to engage and inspire? To make an impact? Or will he be a champion 'blip' in the annals of the series?

3. Are the others ready?

Ducati. Marc Marquez. Alex Marquez. And a simmering Pecco Bagnaia (who might potentially be Bezzecchi's teammate for 2027). Four principal hurdles to the objective. Marc, six years younger than Marco, sets the bar and is a year entrenched with the best team and on the best bike. The only nagging slither of doubt is his fitness and the chance of another injury during the season that could cost the Catalan points or appearances. Bezzecchi's closest face-off with a prime Marquez came at the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix where only a mistake into Quercia halfway through the 27 laps cost him the lead and a chance of the win…but he ended-up only half a second behind the champion-elect at Misano.

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Bezzecchi might feel he has the match of Alex and despatched the younger Marquez without issue at the season-closing Valencian Grand Prix, but a resurgent Bagnaia could be a harder test as the Aprilia man will be all too aware of his friend's possibilities. Bezz can also turn into the VR46 enclave for insight when it's needed; Valentino also rallied against some fiery rivals with aplomb.

In truth - for the next few months at least - MotoGP needs a defiant and geared-up Marco Bezzecchi. A disruptor to 'MarquezGP' and the Ducati dominion. He'll gain extra fans and support purely by being 'the most likely one'. Overall, it is a warm, shiny stage of opportunity. "We can only work on our bikes, on ourselves, not on the others," Rivola summarised in Malaysia. "Honestly, I think it's going to be quite an interesting championship. Again, with someone leading - that is still the same - but we will stay in the slipstream."